Richard Hook – illustratör

The 'Lion of the North', King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, was one of the major players in the Thirty Years War of 1618-48.In 1630 Gustavus - the last champion of the Protestants - crushed the Catholics at Breitenfeld in a victory widely viewed as the fulfilment of a prophecy foretelling the defeat of the eagle (the German Emperor's emblem) by a golden lion. Killed in battle at Lützen only two years later, Gustavus nevertheless won fame for his technical and tactical innovations.The first of two volumes, this book examines the equipment, uniforms and organization of the infantry that comprised Gustavus's army.

Much of the fame of Gustavus Adolphus has founded upon his cavalry.He is said to have reversed the stagnation of European cavalry warfare, giving it back fluidity and vigour. Like much 'Gustavus mythology', however, the truth may well be quite different. Richard Brzezinski explores the truth behind the myth, in an attempt to find the real story of Gustavus's cavalry.Their organization, arms, armour, tactics and uniforms are examined in a text accompanied by many illustrations, including eight fine full page colour plates by Richard Hook.

In 1543 three Portuguese merchants entered a turbulent Japan, bringing with them the first firearms the Japanese had ever seen: simple matchlock muskets called arquebuses.They proved a decisive addition to the Japanese armoury, as for centuries the samurai had fought only with bow, sword and spear. In 1575, one of the greatest original thinkers in the history of samurai, Oda Nobunaga, arranged his arquebusiers in ranks three deep behind a palisade and proceeded, quite literally, to blow his opponent’s cavalry to pieces, marking the beginning of a new era in Japanese military history.Stephen Turnbull, a world-renowned samurai expert, explores the evolution of these forces and how they fought, alongside specially-commissioned artwork.

The Woodland cultural areas of the eastern half of America has been the most important in shaping its history.This volume details the history, culture and conflicts of the 'Woodland' Indians, a name assigned to all the tribes living east of the Mississippi River between the Gulf of Mexico and James Bay, including the Siouans, Iroquians, and Algonkians. In at least three major battles between Indian and Euro-American military forces more soldiers were killed than at the battle of Little Bighorn in 1876, when George Custer lost his command.With the aid of numerous illustrations and photographs, including eight full page colour plates by Richard Hook, this title explores the history and culture of the American Woodland Native Americans.

The southeastern people were the descendants of ancient prehistoric Native American cultures, and were probably on the decline when first known to Europeans.Despite being poorly reported in popular histories, they have been well described by several early European traders and by a number of well-known American ethnologists who collected details of surviving native culture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The white man's expanding plantation society and the tragic removal of the Native American population to Indian Territory saw the end of this farming, hunting and trading culture.This title examines the absorbing history and culture of the native peoples of the southeastern United States.

The common image of the Confederate Army during the Civil War is dominated by a limited number of early photogaphs of troops wearing the gray and butternut of the CS regulations and quartermaster issues.The third in this sequence of books examines the uniforms of the Louisiana and Texas militia and volunteer companies originally brought together in the Confederate field armies; and the continuing efforts to clothe them as wear-and-tear gradually reduced this wide range of uniforms.A mass of information from contemporary documents is illustrated with rare photographs and meticulous color reconstructions.

Coats of arms were at first used only by kings and princes, then by their great nobles.But by the mid-13th century arms were being used extensively by the lesser nobility, knights and those who later came to be styled gentlemen. In some countries the use of arms spread even to merchants, townspeople and the peasantry.From the mundane to the fantastic, from simple geometric patterns to elaborate mythological beasts, this fascinating work by Terence Wise explores the origins and appearance of medieval heraldic devices in an engagingly readable style, accompanied by numerous illustrations including eight full page colour plates by Richard Hook.

Polish soldiers fought in nearly every major campaign in the European theatre, and their tale is a complicated and tragic one. Poland was the first of the Allied nations to succumb to German aggression in the Second World War, but by the most tortuous of routes her army managed to remain in the field through all five years of bloody fighting.This richly detailed text by Steven Zaloga relates the story of the Polish Army during the Second World War, from the first wave of Stukas in 1939 to its eventual conclusion.

The Southern states which formed the Confederacy in 1861 fielded many units of volunteer troops wearing a remarkably wide variety of uniforms, often reflecting foreign influences.In a spirit of independence many states also issued their own uniform regulations on the outbreak of the American Civil War; and these non-standard uniforms were often retained until well into the course of the war. The regulation patterns centrally prescribed by the Confederate Army were only ever followed unevenly, and state quartermasters continued to issue uniforms showing regional and state differences. This last in a series of six titles studies the archival and pictorial evidence for the infantry, cavalry and artillery of the final states to secede from the Union - Missouri, Kentucky and Maryland - and is illustrated with fascinating early photographic portraits.

The battle which took place on the Little Bighorn river on June 25, 1876 has passed into legend as “Custer's Last Stand”.This remarkable book is a unique analysis of the oral and pictorial evidence for the appearance of nearly 30 named Sioux and Cheyenne warriors who were present that day, and for their parts in the battle. The fruit of many years' study by one of today’s most internationally respected interpreters and illustrators of Native American material culture, it offers biographical notes and meticulously researched color reconstructions, together with rare photographs and pictographs.

The central plains of North America to the east of the Rocky Mountains were home to the 'Plains Indians'.The hunting grounds of the twelve "typical" tribes coincided with the grazing range of the largest of the buffalo herds. The adoption of a horse culture heralded the golden age of this native culture – an age abruptly ended by the intervention of the white man, who forced them into reservations in the second half of the 19th century.Jason Hook's fascinating text explores the culture of the indigenous peoples of the Great Plains, from camp life to conquest, in a volume complemented by photographs and stunning artwork.

The Apache culture of 1850 was a blend of influences from the peoples of the Great Plains, Great Basin and the South-West, particularly the Pueblos, and – as time progressed – from the Spanish and American settlers.This fascinating work by Jason Hook examines the Apaches, their social structure, religion and warcraft, and outlines the Apache wars and conflicts with the American, including the dramatic story of Crook and Geronimo.This absorbing volume is illustrated with a wealth contemporary photographs, museum examples and eight stunning full page colour plates by Richard Hook, making it the perfect book for anyone interested in this fascinating culture.

A highly illustrated account of the greatest, and the last, victory of the Native Americans over the United States military.The death of George Armstrong Custer, and over half of his 7th Cavalry Regiment in the valley of the Little Big Horn on 25 June 1876, has become the most celebrated battle of the Indian wars. This illustrated volume outlines how, disobeying orders, Custer followed a trail to a large encampment of Indians. Without determining the numbers he faced split his command into three groups and attacked. In the resulting chaos Custer and more than half the troops under his command were killed.US Army officer Peter Panzeri describes the battle from its origins to its conclusion in a concise, yet detailed format.

Feared throughout East Asia, Japanese pirates were likened to 'black demons' and 'flood dragons'.For centuries relations between Japan, Korea and China were carried out through a bizarre trinity of war, trade and piracy. The piracy, which combined the other elements in a violent blend of free enterprise, is the subject of this original and exciting book.Stephen Turnbull vividly recreates the pirates' daily lives, from legitimate whaling and fishing trips to violent raids. He explores the bases and castles used by the pirates and uses eyewitness accounts and original artwork to give stunning descriptions of a vicious and brutal life.

During the Middle Ages siege warfare played a vital role in military strategy.Sieges were far more numerous than pitched battles, ranging from small-scale affairs against palisaded earthworks to full-scale assaults on vast strongholds. Needless to say, the art of siege warfare assumed a unique importance to both invader and defender alike.In this title Christopher Gravett explores the different aspects of medieval siege warfare, from chivalrous formalities to 'surprise and treachery', in a text backed by numerous illustrations including 12 full page colour plates by Richard and Christa Hook.

The Seminole of Florida were one of five so-called 'Civilized Tribes' who for many years lived in peace with the settlers.However, by 1815, frontier Americans had grown increasingly envious of their relative wealth and land, and resentful of their harbouring of former enslaved people. This book reveals the dramatic stories behind the ensuing Seminole wars, examining the dogged resistance displayed by the Seminole as they endured three drawn-out campaigns.Illustrated with careful reconstructions of the colourful and varied clothing and uniforms worn by both sides, the author discusses the organization and history of a tribe that refused to give in, until the sheer weight of the opposing forces ultimately led to their defeat.

A slim, yet detailed volume on the downfall of the Teutonic Knights, featuring battlescene maps and illustrations throughout.By 1400 the long running conflict between the Order of Teutonic Knights and Poland and Lithuania was coming to a head, partly as a result of the Order''s meddling in the internal politics of its neighbours. In June 1410 King Wladislaw Jagiello of Poland invaded the Order''s territory with a powerful allied army including all the enemies of the Teutonic Knights – Poles, Lithuanians, Russians, Bohemians, Hungarians, Tartars and Cossacks.This book recounts how, when the armies clashed on the wooded, rolling hills near the small village of Tannenberg, the Teutonic Knights suffered a disastrous defeat from which their Order never recovered.

The samurai were the military elite of medieval and early modern Japan, and the men who led them were hailed as the very greatest, most heroic and most honourable of all samurai warriors.This first of two books examines the lives, equipment, battles and wider roles of the samurai commanders between 940 and 1576, the period from the emergence of the samurai to the triumph of Oda Nobunaga, who set Japan on the road to reunification.The styles of armour and weaponry of the samurai changed considerably during this time and this book visually recreates some of the most famous samurai commanders.

This second volume about Japan's samurai commanders covers the generals of the later years of the Age of the Warring States, a period when only the most able leaders survived.This was a time when the prowess of a commander was measured as much by his strategic and organizational abilities as by his individual fighting skills and he was expected to give as great a show of strength in the council chamber as on the battlefield.This book discusses the lives, battles and wider roles of talented commanders such as Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi - great men who stood out prominently due to their elaborate suits of armour and helmets, their stunning personal heraldry and their great armies.

“A model of excellence in the art of reference volume publishing... Every public and school library... should acquire this treasure. It will remain the standard for many years to come.” - Dr. James A. Clifton, Department of Anthropology, Western Michigan University. “This substantial reference remains one of the most elaborately illustrated books on Native Americans now in print... Highly recommended.” - Library Journal. This superb, fully illustrated reference offers the most up-to-date and essential facts on the identity, kinships, locations, populations and cultural characteristics of some 400 separately identifiable peoples native to the North American continent, both living and extinct, from the Canadian Arctic to the Rio Grande. The abundance of illustrations and photographs form an especially rich store of material describing the vast range of Native American material culture. The maps are valuable pictorial representations of major historical events. Population and settlement trends based on the most recent US Census paint detailed portraits of all officially recognized tribes. The book includes: More than 680 colour and archival photographs; Extensive visual coverage of tribal dress and cultural artifacts; 46 maps, including prehistoric cultural and historic sites and tribe distribution maps, as well as maps showing movement of tribes and non-indigenous troops during conflicts; More than 100 specially commissioned colour illustrations. Comprehensive, authoritative and up-to-date, Encyclopedia of Native Tribes of North America is an important and accessible record of the Native American peoples and an essential addition to all school and library collections.

The Spanish Civil War had been a conflict between the nationalists and conservatives on one side, and what they saw as the opposing anarchic atheistic Marxism which was eroding the traditional Catholic values of Spain.The nationalists eventually won with the aid of Germany against the Soviet backed Marxists, and four years later, the Spaniards seized the opportunity to settle a score with those who had attempted to disintegrate their country. John Scurr's book provides an absorbing account of the organisation, campaigns and uniforms of Germany's Spanish volunteers who fought in World War II from 1941-45.

In 1805, Bavaria allied itself with France and Bavarian troops.It served with Napoleon during the 1809 campaign against Austria, and participated in the Russian campaign of 1812, before eventually abandoning the Emperor's cause in 1813 prior to the battle of Leipzig. They then engaged Napoleon's troops in combat at the battle of Hanua in an unsuccessful attempt to cut off their retreat to France.This book by Otto von Pivka provides an in depth examination of the organisation, equipment, weaponry and uniforms of Napoleon's Bavarian allies. The fascinating text is accompanied by numerous illustrations and eight full page colour plates.

The epic conflict between Rome and Carthage remains one of the most compelling stories of military history.The wars included such legendary events as the crossing of the Alps by Hannibal, and the Battle of Cannae. Terence Wise's fine text details the armies of both sides of the wars, including the many different allied troops employed by the Carthaginians; Numidians, Celts, Spanish and others who helped make the army one of the most colourful and cosmopolitan of its day.The text is accompanied by numerous illustrations and photographs, including eight full page colour plates by Richard Hook.

For the first three years of the Second World War the German Army's armoured formations dominated the world's battlefields.During this period the Panzerwaffe swept away all that was before them, achieving victories over numerically superior and sometimes better equipped opponents. This remarkable book by Martin Windrow deals with one of the German Army's most effective and feared rapid attack forces, including a summary of every Panzer division's war record and an extensive examination of uniforms, equipment and decorations.

In 1870, after completing a 1000-mile trek across Canada, Lt. W.F. Butler, an officer of the British Army, recommended the establishment of a 'well-equipped force from 100 to 150 men, one-third to be mounted' for the purpose of policing the North West.Three years later, the North West Mounted Police was established. By the late 1980s, this force, now the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), had grown to include 18,000 members, with a budget of more than $1 billion. This book outlines the origins and evolution of the RCMP, detailing its formation, tasks, uniforms and insignia.

Born of a mixture of religious fervour, military ardour and political will, the Crusades remain a fascinating and misunderstood aspect of medieval history.Born amid immense suffering and bloodshed the Kingdom of Jerusalem remained a battlefield for almost 200 years. The Crusades raised to campaign for it gave rise to the Military Orders of the Templars and Hospitallers as well as numerous smaller orders, and were a backdrop to the careers of some of history's most famous leaders including Richard 'The Lionheart' and Saladin.David Nicolle recounts the background and events of these fundamental campaigns that scarred the Late Medieval period.

The Great War of 1914-18 is often seen as one major battleground – the Western Front – with numerous 'side-shows'.The other battle zones were not side-shows to those involved, however, although the local inhabitants often fought for motives which remained a closed book to their European allies or foes. David Nicolle relates the story of the Arab revolts, and discusses just how important (or unimportant) was the role of T. E. Lawrence in the affair, in a fascinating text backed by a fine collection of contemporary photographs and eight full page colour plates by Richard Hook.

An illustrated account of one of the most important campaigns in the history of Japan and the origin of the kami kaze - a key part of Japanese national identity.From his seat in Xanadu, the great Mongol Emperor of China, Kubla Khan, had long plotted an invasion of Japan. However, it was only with the acquisition of Korea, that the Khan gained the maritime resources necessary for such a major amphibious operation.Written by expert Stephen Turnbull, this book tells the story of the two Mongol invasions of Japan against the noble Samurai. Using detailed maps, illustrations, and newly commissioned artwork, Turnbull charts the history of these great campaigns, which included numerous bloody raids on the Japanese islands, and ended with the famous kami kaze, the divine wind, that destroyed the Mongol fleet and would live in the Japanese consciousness and shape their military thinking for centuries to come.

The Office of Strategic Services, the forerunner of the CIA, was founded in 1942 by William ''Wild Bill'' Donovan under the direction of President Roosevelt.Agents were enlisted from both the armed services and civilians to produce operational groups specialising in different foreign areas including Italy, Norway, Yugoslavia and China. In 1944 the number of men and women working in the service totalled nearly 13,500. This intriguing story of the origins and development of the American espionage forces covers all of the different departments involved, with a particular emphasis on the courageous teams operating in the field.The volume is illustrated with many photographs, including images from the film director John Ford who led the OSS Photographic Unit and parachuted into Burma in 1943.