With the epic blockbuster film Dunkirk, to be released in July 2017, directed by Christopher Nolan and starring, amongst others, Kenneth Branagh, Tom Hardy and Mark Rylance, this reissue has never been more timely. 'Where is the RAF?' was the oft-quoted question asked by soldiers waiting on the beach at Dunkirk, to where they had retreated following the German blitzkrieg through northern France, and where they were now being pounded by the Luftwaffe. The air forces were there, as Norman Franks proves, detailing the outstanding achievements of the Allied pilots who fought, using outmoded tactics, against enemy pilots who had earlier had easy victories over the Polish, Dutch and Belgian air forces. The RAF's achievement reminds us just how close Britain came to disaster in June 1940.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 224

Dimensions: 153 x 234 mm

Publication Date: 01-05-2017

Back in Print - Limited Stock “If ever any one man won the Battle of Britain, he did. I don’t believe it is realized how much that one man, with his leadership, his calm judgement and his skill, did to save not only this country, but the world”. So wrote Marshal of the RAF Lord Tedder in 1947. As commander of No. 11 Group, Fighter Command and responsible for the air defence of London and South-East England, Keith Park took charge of the day-to-day direction of the battle. In spotlighting his thoughts and actions during the crisis, the author reveals a man whose unfailing energy, courage and cool resourcefulness won not only supreme praise from Churchill but the lasting respect and admiration of all who served under him. However, few officers in any of the services packed more action into their lives, and this book covers the whole of his career – youth in New Zealand, success as an ace fighter pilot in World War I, postings to South America and Egypt, Battle of Britain, Command of the RAF in Malta 1942/43, and finally Allied Air Commander-in-Chief of South East Asia under Mountbatten in 1945. His contribution to victory and peace was immense and this biography aims to shed light on the Big Wing controversy of 1940 and give insight into the war in Burma, 1945, and how the huge problems remaining after the war’s sudden end were dealt with. Drawn largely from unpublished sources and interviews with people who knew Park, and illustrated with maps and photographs, this is an authoritative biography of one of the world’s greatest unsung heroes.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 320

Dimensions: 156 x 234 x 25 mm

Publication Date: 30-04-2001

Space Kids: An Introduction for Young Explorers is designed to inspire awe at the great big universe around us. Covering topics such as stars, planets, moons, alongside the basics of gravity and even how astronauts are able to eat and sleep in space; each page takes us through the complexities of the universe with a fresh and original style. This is a space book that not only teaches young explorers about what is out there but also serves as reminder about just how special we are here on planet Earth. We begin with the enormity of the big bang. And travel from the big and inconceivable - slowly but surely getting smaller and smaller - until we reach the most spectacular thing in the universe: the tiny human who is holding Space Kids. Andrea De Santis’ beautifully rendered illustrations spark curiosities and imaginations whilst Steve Parker’s simple text creates a sense of wonder and fuels an appreciation for what it means to be a part of the universe’s complex system; truly a must-have introduction for any budding young explorer.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 40

Dimensions: 240 x 280 mm

Publication Date: 20-03-2018

In Balthasar Burkhard and Markus Jacob’s elegantly designed children’s book, 20 animals meet for a photographer’s beauty contest. The protagonist of the story is a shy donkey who watches the antics of the animals with wry humor as they pose for the photographer, parading their splendor. “’Please stand here, in front of this backdrop, Baboon,’ said the artist … ‘Click,’ said the camera.” First published in 1997, this beloved children’s book is now reprinted in a smaller format

Pages: 42

Dimensions: 240 x 170 mm

Publication Date: 28-02-2018