Sean McLachlan – författare

In the early 14th century, a new weapon entered the arsenals of European armies.This first generation of black powder weapons put fear into the heart of the enemy and in 1453 Ottoman cannon succeeded in pummelling the once-impregnable walls of Constantinople. But cannons, which are both slow and cumbersome, were difficult to use and often proved inaccurate.The first handgonnes were the answer. Easily dismissed by later historians as nothing more than crude tubes that shot wildly inaccurate lead balls, more recent research has revealed the true accuracy of the medieval handgonne together with its penetrative power.This volume, complete with detailed illustrations and colour photographs of reconstructed handgonnes, reveals the true history of what could easily have been the most revolutionary weapon in history: a must for medieval enthusiasts and re-enactors.

From Dred Scott’s tireless bid for freedom to the Cardinals’ first World Series win, It Happened in Missouri takes readers on a rollicking, behind-the-scenes look at some of the characters and episodes from the Show Me State's storied past. Find out how a fourteen-year-old boy coordinated the settling of St. Louis. Discover how a steam engine helped save the inaugural ride of the Pony Express through Missouri. And read all about Harry Truman’s come-from-behind victory over Thomas Dewey in the 1948 presidential election. These thirty stories include both famous tales, and famous names--and little-known heroes, heroines, and happenings.

True stories of the Show Me state's most infamous crooks, culprits, and cutthroats.

Right after the war, Tangier was the craziest town in North Africa. Everything was for sale and the price was cheap. The perverts came for the flesh. The addicts came for the drugs. A whole army of hustlers and grifters came for the loose laws and free flow of cash and contraband.So why was I here? Because it was the only place that would have me. Besides, it was a great place to be a detective. You got cases like in no other place I'd ever been, and I'd been all over. Cases you couldn't believe ever happened. Like when I had to track down the guy who stole the bank.No, he didn't rob the bank, he stole it.Here's how it happened . . .

Back in the days when Tangier was an International Zone, the city was full of refugees. People fleeing Stalin. People fleeing Franco. People fleeing the Nuremberg Trials. Tangier offered a safe haven from the chaos of Europe.The International Council had to keep a delicate balance, tolerating everything from anti-capitalist agitators to Germans with murky pasts. It was the only way to keep the peace, and it worked.Until an anarchist was found dead with a fascist dagger in his chest.And I got stuck with the case just when I had to smuggle a couple of Party operatives out of town.

Only in Tangier could a literary event turn into a murder scene.I'm "Shorty" MacAllister, private detective. I've investigated all sorts of crazy cases in this lawless town, tracking down con men and Nazi fugitives, anarchists and bank robbers, all the while running my own secret angle.But I never thought that when I went to hear my friend Jane Bowles read her latest story I'd end with a murdered man in my lap, and an old war buddy getting pinned with the crime.After that, things got a whole lot more complicated.

A gritty post-apocalyptic survival thriller featuring toxic fallout, fragile alliances, and a race to save humanity’s last city.The air is turning deadly. And the last city is running out of time.A toxic leak offshore is spreading fast, poisoning everything in its path. If it isn’t stopped, New City won’t survive. Forced into a fragile alliance, the city must work with the sailors of a foreign freighter they don’t trust, can’t fully understand, and may not be able to stop if things go wrong.As resources run thin and tensions rise, the mission begins to unravel. The only chance they have left comes from the last people anyone would trust.This time, survival may come at a cost no one is ready to face.Emergency Transmission is Book 4 in the Toxic World series, perfect for readers of Hugh Howey, P. D. James, and Cormac McCarthy who enjoy dark post-apocalyptic fiction, moral dilemmas, and survival under impossible pressure.___________________________________________________________________Praise for the Toxic World Series:★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The best of the first four books★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Kept me reading late into the night★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A realistic story with relatable characters★ ★ ★ ★ ★ I couldn’t wait to see what happened next★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Completely drawn into the story

A gritty post-apocalyptic survival thriller with a mysterious foreign ship, rising prejudice, political intrigue, and humanity’s last city on the edge of collapse.A law only works if people obey it.For forty years, New City has survived by enforcing one unbreakable rule: no one is allowed to Blame any group for the fall of civilization. Anyone who does is branded and stripped of everything.It is the law that keeps the peace.Until a foreign ship appears on the horizon.When strangers arrive from across the sea, fear spreads fast. Old prejudices resurface. And for the first time in decades, people begin to break the one law holding their world together.As tension rises and violence threatens to erupt, Sheriff Annette Cruz is forced to hold the line between order and chaos. But when Blame takes hold, it doesn’t stay contained.And once it starts… it’s impossible to control.Because the fastest way to destroy a city isn’t from the outside. It’s from within.We Had Flags is Book 3 in the Toxic World series, perfect for readers of Cormac McCarthy, and Hugh Howey who enjoy dark post-apocalyptic fiction, political tension, and survival in a fractured world.___________________________________________________________________Praise for the Toxic World Series:★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Complex characters, exciting plot twists, and action-packed adventure★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Great, all-too-human characters and nearly perfect pacing★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A well-developed post-apocalyptic world with expanding story threads★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A gripping story that kept me reading late into the night★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A strong instalment with rich character development and new layers to the story

A gritty post-apocalyptic survival thriller with a sniper on a final shot, a hunted warlord, cult survivors, political intrigue, and a last city under threat.She has one bullet. And one chance to use it.New City survived the Righteous Horde, but it didn’t defeat them.Out in the wasteland, the cult is regrouping and preparing for what comes next.Sheriff Annette Cruz is sent beyond the walls to stop the war before it begins again. All she has is a sniper rifle, one bullet, and a scavenger with his own agenda who might betray her the moment it suits him.Meanwhile, one of the cult’s escaped slaves makes a discovery that could tear New City apart.And back home, power is shifting, loyalties are breaking, and the cracks are beginning to show.Because the next war won’t start outside the walls. It will start within them.Refugees from the Righteous Horde is Book 2 in the Toxic World series, perfect for readers of Hugh Howey and Cormac McCarthy who enjoy dark post-apocalyptic survival fiction, cult-driven conflict, and high-stakes battles for the last refuge of civilisation___________________________________________________________________Praise for the Toxic World Series:★ ★ ★ ★ ★ I couldn’t put it down★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A fantastic story with really clever writing★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Stands apart from other post-apocalyptic fiction★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A strong follow-up that builds on every level★ ★ ★ ★ ★ An action-packed story with thoughtfully written characters

A gritty post-apocalyptic survival thriller with a single mother gunslinger, a mysterious survival broadcast, cult warlords, wasteland factions, and humanity’s last city under siege.A single radio signal is broadcasting hope across a dying world.Annette Cruz is a scavenger, a fighter, and a mother trying to get her son out of the wasteland and into New City, the last refuge of civilization. Outside its walls, the land is poisoned, lawless, and the strong take what they want.As the Righteous Horde sweeps across the frontier, Annette takes on a dangerous mission to scout their movements, risking everything to protect her son.But the mission is not what it seems.The deeper she goes into the wildlands, the more she realizes the threat isn’t just coming from the Horde.As New City prepares for siege, Annette must decide how far she’s willing to go, and what she’s willing to sacrifice to keep her son safe.Radio Hope is Book 1 in the Toxic World series, perfect for readers of Hugh Howey and Cormac McCarthy who enjoy dark post-apocalyptic survival fiction, found family, and high-stakes battles for the last refuge of civilization.___________________________________________________________________Praise for the Toxic World Series:★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A convincingly gritty post-apocalypse that kept me turning the pages.★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A compelling story that stays with you long after the final page.★ ★ ★ ★ ★ One of the best post-apocalyptic novels I’ve read.★ ★ ★ ★ ★ More mature, more realistic, and far deeper than most post-apocalyptic novels.★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Excellent post-apocalyptic fiction with complex characters and real stakes.

From the 1840s onward, United States military forces clashed with the Apache, a group of Native American peoples associated with the southwestern part of North America.US territorial expansion and conflict – first with Mexico and then during the Civil War – led to an escalation of hostilities that culminated in the defeat of the Apache leader Geronimo in 1886, although fighting continued into the 20th century. In this study the clashes at Cieneguilla (1854), First Adobe Walls (1864), and Cibecue Creek (1881) are assessed in detail.Fully illustrated and featuring contemporary accounts and specially commissioned artwork, this history examines exactly how the Apache were able to pose such a grave threat to US forces and how their initial advantages were gradually negated by the cavalry. Examining the tactics, equipment and training available to each side over four decades of evolving conflict, this is an eye-opening combatant's eye view of one of history's most intriguing campaigns.

The Gunfight at the OK Corral on 26 October 1881 is one of the most enduring stories of the Old West.It led to a series of violent incidents that culminated in the Vendetta Ride, in which Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and several other gunslingers went after their rivals the Cowboys. Like most tales of the Wild West, the facts are buried under layers of myth, and the line between good guys and bad guys is blurry. This is the story of Wyatt Earp, leader of the so-called “good guys”, who was charged with stealing horses in the Indian Territory in 1870 and jumped bail. Becoming a buffalo hunter and gambler, he got into several scrapes and earned a reputation as a gunfighter.Alongside illustrations, this book explores these scrapes and gives a clear overview of the subject, ideal for fans of the "Wild West".

While the giant armies of the Union and the Confederacy were fighting over cities and strategic strongholds, a large number of warriors from both sides were fighting, smaller, more personal battles.Beginning with the violent struggle known as “Bleeding Kansas” armed bands of irregular fighters began to wage war in every corner of the United States. Many of the names of their commanders have become legendary: William Quantrill, “Bloody Bill” Anderson, and John S Mosby “The Grey Ghost”. To their own people they were heroes; to others they were the first of a new generation of wild west outlaw. Their tactics included robbing banks, kidnapping soldiers & civilians, rustling cattle, and cutting telegraph lines.This book explores the war out of which many of America's future outlaw legends would be born, most notably Cole Younger and Frank and Jesse James.

In July 1863, with the Confederacy still reeling from the defeats at Vicksburg and Gettysburg, Union forces pushed deep into Arkansas, capturing the capital of Little Rock.In response, Colonel Joseph O. Shelby launched a daring raid to disrupt the advance. Taking 600 men and a section of light artillery, he slipped behind enemy lines. Moving by night to confuse the enemy, Shelby captured a series of small outposts, collecting weapons and recruits as he went. As they continued their ride, the rebels tore up railroad tracks, burned bridges, and cut telegraph lines. Despite these successes, the Union troops slowly closed in on the raiders. Shelby fought a series of bitter skirmishes, until he found himself surrounded. Unwilling to surrender, Shelby led a charge through the Federal lines, bursting out into the open country and onto the road back to the Confederacy.While the results of this raid are still debated by historians, no one has ever doubted its boldness, and west of the Mississippi it became common to boast, “You've heard of Jeb Stuart's ride around McClellan? Hell, brother, Jo Shelby rode around MISSOURI!”

In the late 19th century, the new nation-state of Italy was eager to join her European neighbours in creating an international empire, and her eyes turned toward Africa as a source of potential colonies.Securing a foothold in Eritrea on the Red Sea coast, the Italians quickly became embroiled in a shooting war with the Ethiopians. The war proved a disaster for the Italians, who suffered three major defeats against the forces of Emperor Menelik's army, including a horrendous massacre at Adowa, the largest defeat of a colonial army prior to World War I.This book looks at the campaign with an emphasis on the colourful uniforms worn by both sides.

It was the beginning of the end for the James gang.In the past ten years Frank and Jesse James had gone from unknown ex-Confederate guerrillas to the most famous outlaws in the world. A string of daring robberies of banks, trains, and stagecoaches had brought them fame, admiration, hatred, and a surprisingly small amount of wealth. In 1876 they planned their most daring raid yet—to ride hundreds of miles from their home state of Missouri to rob the First National Bank at Northfield, Minnesota.This book tells the story of one of the most daring bank jobs in American history. With most of the gang being former bushwhackers, they used many guerrilla tactics in the planning and execution of the raid, yet failed because of poor discipline and their own fame, which meant that every town in the Midwest had their guns loaded waiting to fight off bandits.