The purpose of this book is to inform with unique sources of documentary evidence a detailed contemporary account of a momentous unsung event in defence of our nation in WWII. For the eager reader or student wishing to add to their knowledge the author has created an historical reference work. This largely unknown part of WW II history was summed up by the great A. P. Herbert (Sir Alan Herbert) as “A Grateful Nation Soon Forgot”. AP, as he was known, was involved in these historic events throughout the war. From 1939-1945 The Naval Control Service (NCS) controlled vital convoy operations from Southend. Many WW1 Battle of Jutland veterans descended on Southend as volunteers for convoy work. These men of experience included Admirals and Vice Admirals who commanded the earliest supply convoys. Many of the NCS team in residence were well known nationally distinguished men and women. Southend’s longest sea pier in the world, stretches for one and one third miles out into the Thames Estuary and has at its end a deep water harbour. At the gateway to The Thames and North Sea it was ideal for convoy operations. The Germans were aware of this and would come to destroy the facility and close The Thames in a night bombing raid by the Luftwaffe on 22nd November 1939. They had not expected the foresight of Capt. John Pelham Champion CBE., DSO., RN in command of the NCS. By his hunch in guessing when they would come, the Pier was prepared with an armed defence. Not only was the German plan thwarted but the Thames to London stayed open for the duration of the war against the stated prediction of Winston Churchill.

The pages of the past are full of characters who remind us that history depends upon the great deeds of men and women, whether famous or humble. Where would America be without George Washington, or Daniel Boone, or Sojourner Truth, or Babe Ruth? Where would we be without so many characters who are less well remembered today? Historians and biographers regularly come across stories of little-known or forgotten heroes, and this book provides a chance to rescue some of the best of them. In Forgotten Heroes, thirty-five of the country's leading historians recount their favorite stories of underappreciated Americans. From Stephen Jay Gould on deaf baseball player Dummy Hoy; to William Leuchtenburg on the truth behind the legendary Johnny Appleseed; to Christine Stansell on Margaret Anderson, who published James Joyce's Ulysses; these portraits can be read equally for delight, instruction, and inspiration Taken together, however, the whole is much more than the sum of its parts. Every culture needs heroes who lead by example and uplift us all in the process. Too often lately, historians have been more intent on picking apart the reputations of previously revered Americans. At times it has seemed as if the academy were on the attack against much of its own culture, denying its past greatness while making heroes only of its dissidents and doubters. Yet as this collection vividly demonstrates, heroes come in many shapes and sizes, and we all gain when we remember and celebrate them. Forgotten Heroes includes nearly as many women as men, and nearly as many people from before 1900 as after. It expands the traditional definition of hero to encompass not only military figures and politicians who took risks for great causes, but also educators, religious leaders, reformers, labor leaders, publishers, athletes, and even a man who started a record company. Many of them were heroes of conscience -- men and women who insisted on doing the right thing, no matter how unpopular or risky, commanding respect even from those who disagreed. Some were famous in their day and have since been forgotten, or remembered only in caricature. Others were little-known even when alive -- yet they all deserve to be remembered today, especially at the gifted hands of the authors of this book.

"This work covers the entire sweep of Milner's career, exploring fully in themselves overlooked areas, including Milner's place in the newspaper "information milieu," his attempts to bring working men into the Unionist fold (before, during, and after the Great War), his conspiratorial role in the 1914 Ulster Crisis, his key, but mostly forgotten, place in the First World War, the Peace of Paris and, throughout, his private life. The book reveals, as has no other, relationships with Margot Tennant (later Asquith), to whom Milner first proposed marriage, his mistress Cecile Duval, the novelist Elinor Glyn, and his two-decades-long liaison with Violet Cecil, who became his wife in 1921, only four years before Milner's death."--BOOK JACKET.

The United States Merchant Marine has a tradition of being in the forefront of every American military action and has served with distinction in every conflict. New York Times bestselling author Brian Herbert chronicles the amazing exploits of these gallant seamen, assembling a fascinating array of data from historical documents, government records, diaries, and interviews with surviving veterans. This brilliant history details the heroism, self-sacrifice and grim determination that have always been the hallmark of the United States Merchant Marine. Herbert also reveals one of the great injustices of American history. The civilian fighters of the Merchant Marine performed feats of extraordinary bravery during World War II; they were the lifeline of the entire Allied war effort, delivering troops, materiel, food, fuel, and every essential needed for victory over the Axis. In doing so, the Merchant Marine suffered losses so high that the casualty rates were kept secret. At war's end, the men and women of every other service branch were honored by parades and given medical and educational benefits--but the members of the Merchant Marine, who were so vital to our victory, have received neither the benefits nor the recognition they deserved. Herbert is part of a growing movement across the United States to right the wrong. The Forgotten Heroes is a history of these unsung heroes and a plea for justice.

This title addresses the deeper questions of how remembrance of the U.S.-Mexican War has influenced the complex relationship between these former enemies now turned friends.

My father would always read to me or tell me stories from a picture book so one day when I was young I asked him to draw me a picture and tell me a war story. I enlisted in the military because these terrible men were trying to hurt my friends and family. They would make them walk on long marches then lock them up like caged animals. They would lock up everyone in their family even the little girls. Being one of the best hunters I was selected to serve on a team with men from other countries and travel all around the world helping free these people. One time we were dropped off in a little rubber boat to paddle our way to an island during the biggest storm ever. The wind and rain were blowing and the waves made it almost impossible to stay inside the boat. We went in to hunt down the bad guys like Daniel Boone or David Crocket. We were the unknown men with no faces or name tags that silently moved through the night being known for civil war tactics as the advance unit of Ghost Soldiers. We had to live off of the land eating whatever we could find like berries, fruit, or hunting the animals. We would throw hand grenades into the water that would bring up the snakes, alligators, fish or whatever was living in the water. The islands were the most beautiful places in the world with all the green plants and the most beautiful flowers and colored birds. We freed the people that were taken prisoner and one camp there was a beautiful young girl by the name of Virginia and she is the person I named you after. The dream of someday having a daughter of my own that I could love and protect gave me the willpower needed in combat.

The second novel in the New York Times bestselling trilogy from Richard Paul Evans about a man on an inspirational pilgrimage across Route 66 to find his way back to himself. Chicago celebrity and successful pitchman Charles James is supposed to be dead. Everyone believes he was killed in a fiery plane crash. But thanks to a remarkable twist of fate, he’s very much alive and ready for a second chance at life—and love. Narrowly escaping death has brought Charles some clarity: the money, the fame, the fast cars—none of it was making him happy. The last time he was happy—truly happy—was when he was married to his ex-wife Monica, before their connection was destroyed by his ambition and greed. Charles decides to embark on an epic quest: He will walk the entire length of Route 66, from Chicago to California, where he hopes to convince Monica to give him another shot. Along the way, Charles is immersed in the deep and rich history of one of America’s most iconic highways. But the greater journey he finds is the one he takes in his heart as he meets people along the road who will change his perspective on the world. But will his transformation be enough to earn redemption?

"A fascinating, action-packed thriller from one of the genre's most talented authors. Don Bentley delivers a blistering adventure loaded with excitement and fabulous characters. You will not want it to end!"—Brad Thor, New York Times #1 bestselling author of Dead Fall A brotherhood born in battle is endangered by a deadly secret in the latest astonishing thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of Tom Clancy Zero Hour and Hostile Intent. As a team, Matt Drake and his partner, Frodo, have watched each other's backs through some very dark days. But one thing they've never doubted was their commitment to each other...until now. Frodo has been accused of a war crime ten years after leaving Afghanistan. Matt is determined to prove his friend innocent, but what will he do when he finds that his closest friend has secrets he won't share?

Explores the effect of the challenges of World War II on American children and teenagers.