Being there . . . in such limited word-print space, favorite buffs, enthusiasts, and aficionados,that this bibliophile, lover of books, promises to write less Foreword, allowing the freed-upmiles of extra space to introduce the latest dropped-off, door-step book title arrivals whichannounce themselves that they are ready and available for self-purchase, or as Christmas gifts.But giving up personal, well thought out words is hard! Dad DeNevi was right about his seven-year-old Greg Peck lookalike son: to mom, “From L.A. this morning to Stockton, California, a375 mile, 7 ½ hour drive, including three gas stops, the kid couldn’t shut up! I swear,something’s wrong with him”. Speechless, mom, refusing to drop her sad, moist eyes, insteadbeamed proudly, “So what? He’s our handsome son and he belongs to us! With all his words,someday he’ll be a great book reviewer.” So, reader, enough words for this lead in. Here, asdear Frank Lloyd Wright, used to say: “Less is more”, and “Always think hard but always answerjust once”.“BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC (1) – – The U-Boat Campaign against Britain, 1939 – 41”, by MarkStille, Illustrated by Jim Laurier. Osprey Publishing, Campaign 408 Series, 96 pages, softcover, 7¼” x 9 ¾, softcover, $25. Visit, www.ospreypublishing.com.“RAF FIGHTERS VS Ju & STUKA – – In the West 1940-41”, by Andy Saunders. Osprey Publishing,Osprey DUEL Engage the Enemy, 80 pages, softcover, 7 ¼” x 9 ¾”, softcover, $23. Visit,www.ospreypublishing.com.“WILDE SAU NIGHTFIGHTERS”, by Martin Streetly. Osprey Publishing, Combat Aircraft 154, 96pages, softcover, 7 ¼” x 9 ¾”, softcover, $25. Visit, www.ospreypublishing.com.“PHILIPPINES 1944 – – Third Fleet’s first victory over Japanese land-based airpower”, Edward M.Young, Illustrated by Jim Laurier. Osprey Publishing, Air Campaign, 96 pages, softcover, 7 ¼” x 9¾”, softcover, $25. Visit, www.ospreypublishing.com.“TANKS IN THE PHILIPPINES 1944 – 1945, The biggest armored clashes of the Pacific War”, bySteven J. Zaloga, Illustrated by Felipe Rodriguez. Osprey Publishing, New Vanguard 334, 48pages, softcover, 7 ¼” x 9 ¾”, softcover, $20. Visit, www.ospreypublishing.com.“SON TAY 1970 – – The Operation Ivory Coast POW rescue mission”, by Justin Williamson.Osprey Publishing, Raid Series, 80 pages, softcover, 7 ¼” x 9 ¾”, softcover, $23. Visit,www.ospreypublishing.com.There are only four major AMERICAN – BRITISH military publishers who dare risk wealth andfame in launching new books, sometimes whole new series, focusing on complete or skeletaloverviews of war histories from classical times to today. In this reviewer opinion, almost half acentury’s worth, none can match the highly professional efforts of Casemate- Pen & Sword,Osprey-Bloomsbury, Schiffer-Military, and McFarland. Like the thesis of “The OxfordCompanion to Military History” stipulates, which, by the way, that grand volume should be thefoundation of every fledgling home library, “The history of war underpins the history of the
world – – ranging across centuries and continents to reveal the battles, leaders, strategy,
weaponry, technology, ethics, literature, and economics involved in warfare.” Case-in-point, thesterling Osprey Publishing Company. Reminder: its fabulous catalog begging to be perused canbe pulled up in a microsecond – – www.ospreypublishing.comAs would be anticipated, nay, expected, the hot-off-the presses and just-received six Ospreytitles above ARE all beautifully written, clearly and with fervor, presenting extraordinarily vividpictures and photos of their subjects. In short, each book is satisfying as a literary-visualinterpretation. Each impressive book covers so much ground, literally, that whether a general,buff, enthusiast, or serious aficionado, you will want to buy them all for your library or that of adear friend or loved family member. And all for less than $150! So, what if you skip supper twonights in a row? You’ll beam radiance with Yule Day joy.Yeah, mom and dad repeated the story endlessly, even to strangers on the street, anyonewho would listen, how their darling, beloved son couldn’t shut up for the 7 ½ hour, breakfast tosupper, drive from L.A. to Stockton.“May the Blessings of the Christ ChildDescend upon you on this comingFeast of the Nativity
Rev. Francis J. Weber
