In the early 1950s the United States wished to concentrate its defence resources on the development of a 4,000 mile range intercontinental ballistic missile. As a stop-gap measure, US defence chiefs hoped to assist Britain with the development of its own intermediate range missile. Despite US concerns that British resources were limited the Air Ministry nonetheless proceeded with the missile, called Blue Streak, to fulfil the operational requirement which would give Britain an independent ...

In the mid-1950s faced with worrying advances in Soviet missile technology, the United States sought to develop an IRBM to act as a stop-gap until the Atlas ICBM became operational. Intense inter-service rivalry followed before the US Air Force gained the upper hand in deploying the missile. The UK, keen to improve the 'special relationship' with the US which had suffered following the Suez Crisis agreed to accept 60 Thor missiles to be operated by RAF crews. Complex negotiations followed ...

This book is simply an attempt to set down, in a plain and straightforward manner, some account of the various experiences and adventures of the author during a period of some fifteen years spent in hunting, trading, and exploring, principally on the eastern side of the African continent. The title has been suggested by some episodes in the narrative, the main facts of which are within the recollection of many of the white men now in British East Africa. These episodes caused somewhat of a...

"A White King in East Africa" by John Boyes is a captivating narrative that chronicles the author's adventures and experiences in the heart of East Africa. Boyes, a British explorer, immerses himself in the rich cultures and landscapes of the region, providing readers with vivid descriptions and insightful observations. His encounters with local tribes, wildlife, and the challenges of the environment paint a picture of a world that is both beautiful and perilous. The book serves as a testa...

"John Boyes...has had as many hair-raising adventures as any one in the world who has lived to tell the tale, for at one time was virtually king of the savage Kikuyu tribe." -Boston Globe, Nov. 9, 1912"John Boys...was the actual controlling power for several years in a great region into which before no white man had been allowed...he entered the hostile territory practically alone...had to do a lot of fighting to gain his ascendancy...he was in gre...

Great Speeches collects over forty of the most powerful and stirring addresses delivered in the English language.It captures the significant historical events of the past 400 years in the words of their participants, from those speeches given in times of war and sorrow, such as Winston Churchill's 'This Was Their Finest Hour', to those delivered at moments of hope, such as Barack Obama's election victory address.Other speeches include:• Charl...

... poetry is the blossom and the fragrancy of all human knowledge, human thoughts, human passions, emotions, language.' Samuel Taylor ColeridgeThis glorious celebration of classic poetry features verse from around the English-speaking world. Carefully selected and divided into themed sections, the poems encompass the wealth of human experience - love, death, youth, old age, nature, travel and humour are all included in works that range from the 1500s onwards.A comprehensiv...

On January 17 1861, a few weeks after South Carolina became the first state to formally secede from the Union, Quaker poet John Greenleaf Whittier's 'A Word for the Hour' was published in The Boston Evening Transcript. It was to herald the birth of a new era of American poetry - one that expressed the hopes and fears, and the hatred and hostility, of a nation torn in two.The only conflict to be fought on American soil by Americans, the Civil War pitched brother against brother, fat...

Hope is the thing with feathersThat perches in the soul,And sings the tune without the words,And never stops at all.- Emily DickensonFrom time immemorial, poetry has provided its readers with a source of comfort and encouragement in times of need. In this superb anthology can be found the best of the English-speaking world's inspirational and reassuring verse, including such classics as Rudyard Kipling's 'If' and W.H. Davies' 'L...

Presented in an accessible and easy-reference format, Greatest Love Poems includes over 220 poems by a wide range of famous and lesser-known authors from different periods of history. These are divided into five themed sections, including:• Romance• Poems for Marriage• Unrequited Love• Long Distance Love• Lost LoveFeaturing short biographies of every author, this beautiful edition allows you to explore every aspect of love and its interp...

Poetry is a fascinating use of language. With almost a million words at its command it is not surprising that these Isles have produced some of the most beautiful, moving and descriptive verse through the centuries. In this series we look at a particular nation through the eyes and minds of our most gifted poets to bring you a unique poetic guide. Wales, this proud nation with its long history; sometimes rough, hewn from bleak yet beautiful landscapes, sometimes gently soft from its comfor...

Christmas is the most famous holiday of the year, and the word itself evokes images of Santa Claus, Christmas trees, lights, the baby Jesus, and, of course, presents. Instantly, well known Christmas carols ring in your ears, or maybe you even picture nutcrackers or Scrooge and Tiny Tim. Christmas has been popular for centuries, and it only continues to get more popular today, with Christmas season extending months in advance of December 25. And though much has been written of Christmas, it...