A stunning collision of militaray eras--The heroic and tragic final campaign of the U.S. horseback cavalry against the mechanized Japanese Army of World War II. /FONT

After a disastrous defeat in World War I, Germany¿s military was reduced to a shell from its former imperial-era might and glory. The war had driven home the impact of advances in military technologies¿machine guns, artillery, and tanks, among others. The 1918 defeat and the strictures of the Versailles Treaty actually created and strengthened the will in the new German Reichsheer to learn from unsuccessful operations and, despite all limitations, to turn itself into a professional and forward-thinking force. The treaty had reduced the German army to 100,000 soldiers, divided between infantry and cavalry. Riding into the Twilight comprehensively covers the evolution of the lance-equipped horse soldiers of the 1920s to mixed formations of armored vehicles, bicycles, and mounted troops as the Wehrmacht expanded and went to war. After six years of mounted fighting, a final review in Austria marked the end of the last, largest, and arguably most effective cavalry force in any modern army. Those battered survivors rode into the twilight that had already greeted many other countries¿ mounted soldiers. 456 pages and 575 color and black & white photographs in 8-1/2 x11 format; this volume is a must-have for both military history buffs and those interested in the history of cavalry.

I have endeavored in the following pages to present the full drama and scope of the 26th Cavalry's heroic but doomed mounted campaign against the seasoned troops, planes, and tanks of the Japanese Army, from the first few hours after the invaders poured from their landing craft onto the shores of Luzon Island in late December 1941, to the final desperate months in Bataan and on The Rock, the Corregidor fortress. Every step of the way, the scouts bought time for MacArthur's army to fight back. It is also not hyperbolic to contend that without the 26th's delaying actions on Luzon--a textbook and innovative campaign studied in modern war colleges--MacArthur might never have had the time to escape the Philippines when ordered to do so in March 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The cavalrymen of the 26th fought the last full-fledged horseback campaign in history, paying a terrible toll but exacting an even higher one upon the Japanese Army. The regiment's story reveals not only the valor of the horsemen, their horses, and the 26th's motorized squadron, but also the way in which the unit's American and Filipino troopers forged ties that transcended race and were forever cemented in blood, suffering, and pride.--from the Prologue, A Vision from Another Century

American cycling has a long tradition of riding and racing on a shoestring and a prayer. Jamie Smith explores the domestic side of the world’s biggest amateur sport in American Pro: The True Story of Bike Racing in America. American Pro rips away the thin veneer of professionalism among domestic racing teams to lay bare the heart and soul of a struggling sport. Smith traces the arc of one team’s racing career to discover colorful personalities, scrappy racing action, humor and heartbreak. American Pro shows what the sport demands: the scramble for contracts, the dynamics of team chemistry, the unending travel, the Herculean struggle to realize the dreamall for the love of bike racing. With sharp humor and insight, Smith uncovers what’s wrongand what’s rightwith America’s broken bike racing system. American Pro will transform how you think of domestic pro racing through a five-season exposé of the sport we love.

Max Ravenhill was perfectly happy with his life as a history professor until he met Cassandra. Told that he was more than a thousand years old and had known Cassandra and her fellow Wardens all that time, that his life as Max was pure fiction implanted in his mind, and that he was being pursued by the Hunt and his only chance for survival was to flee to the realm of Faerie, Max can only assume that Cassandra is crazy-or he is. But soon it becomes all too clear that at least part of what she says is true. And unless he goes with her, he won't live long enough to separate the truth from the lies.

Spanning the vast, rugged canvas of the American West, '50 Westerns - The Best Adventures, Gunfight Duels, Battles, Rider Trails & Legendary Outlaws' brings together an impressive anthology that captures the essence and spirit of the frontier. This collection showcases an eclectic mix of styles, from the raw and gripping narratives to poignant, reflective tales that delve deep into the human and natural landscapes of the West. The wealth of genres within the anthology speaks to the diversity and complexity of the Western experience, featuring everything from intense gunfights and dramatic battles to the quiet, introspective journey of the lone rider. Notable for including both celebrated classics and lesser-known gems, this anthology highlights the rich tapestry of stories that have defined and expanded the boundaries of Western literature. The backgrounds of the authors in this collection are as diverse and storied as the tales they tell. Ranging from pioneering spirits like Bret Harte and Owen Wister, who shaped the early literary form of the Western genre, to the adventurous souls like Jack London and Robert E. Howard, whose works delve into the human condition against the backdrop of the untamed frontier. These authors, among others in the collection, provide a multifaceted view of the American West, reflecting the eras significant social, cultural, and historical shifts. Their collective works not only pay homage to the rugged beauty and perilous adventures of the West but also contribute to the ongoing dialogue about human resilience, the clash of cultures, and the relentless push towards the unknown. '50 Westerns - The Best Adventures, Gunfight Duels, Battles, Rider Trails & Legendary Outlaws' offers readers an unparalleled journey through the heart and soul of Western literature. It is a must-read anthology for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the vast diversity of stories and perspectives that have shaped this enduring genre. Beyond entertainment, this collection serves as a comprehensive exploration of the Western spirit, offering valuable insights into the struggles, triumphs, and enduring myths of the American frontier. Whether you're a dedicated aficionado of Westerns or a curious newcomer, this anthology promises a rich and rewarding experience that celebrates the complexity and vibrancy of the Western narrative.

Entertainment studies are an important emerging subject in tourism, and this introductory textbook provides a detailed overview of the entertainment industry discipline in order to prepare students for roles such as promoters, festival managers and technical support workers. Covering key aspects of entertainment by profiling individual sectors, each chapter is written by an expert working in the field and covers the history and background, products and segmentation, contemporary issues, micro and macro business, environmental influences, detailed case studies and future directions of that sector. It will be an essential text for undergraduate students in entertainment management, events management and related tourism subjects.