From the deadly shores of North Africa to the invasion of Sicily to the fierce jungle hell of the Pacific, the contribution of the World War II Ranger Battalions far outweighed their numbers. They were ordinary men on an extraordinary mission, experiencing the full measure of the fear, exhaustion, and heroism of combat in nearly every major invasion of the war. Whether spearheading a landing force or scouting deep behind enemy lines, these highly motivated, highly trained volunteers led the way for other soldiers -- they were Rangers. With first-person interviews, in-depth research, and a complete appendix naming every Ranger known to have served, author Robert Black, a Ranger himself, has made the battles of WWII come to life through the struggles of the men who fought to win the greatest war the world has ever seen.

Originally published by UNC Press in 1952, The Railroads of the Confederacy tells the story of the first use of railroads on a major scale in a major war. Robert Black presents a complex and fascinating tale, with the railroads of the American South playing the part of tragic hero in the Civil War: at first vigorous though immature; then overloaded, driven unmercifully, starved for iron; and eventually worn out--struggling on to inevitable destruction in the wake of Sherman's army, carrying the Confederacy down with them. With maps of all the Confederate railroads and contemporary photographs and facsimiles of such documents as railroad tickets, timetables, and soldiers' passes, the book will captivate railroad enthusiasts as well as readers interested in the Civil War.

Like spun silk, this mystery novel fl ows with an abundance of murder, beautiful women, sex, nasty violence and jaunts from New York City to Nassau, Jamaica and United Arab Emirates. John Shadows the investigative detective has to deliver 2.2 Million in cash to the Bhatar Emirs oldest sons. The Crown Prince Malumud lives in a fantastic dream house in Jamaica while the younger brother, Oxford educated Prince Gehalab lives on the Bahamian Island of Nassau. Shadows is involved in this delivery assignment through his banker friend in New York, Bradley Harrington Jr. Enroute, Shadows encounters beautiful; twice divorced Sara Cunningham who is also traveling to Nassau, of course Sara becomes partner to the evil adventures that befall Shadows. So does Harrington, who turns up unexpectedly in the tropics. Motives for murder and theft include corporate acquisitions, million dollar international banking transfers, illicit trading on the foreign exchange and economic shenanigans.

HAMPTON DUNES The adventure takes place in Hampton Dunes, a Long Island resort village, much like East Hampton. The novel describes the realization by Gar Barkley, Owner-Editor of the weekly Hampton Gazette that the Mafia has purchased the Wayward Dunes Inn, through local intermediaries. With the help of prominent politicians, they intend to turn the end of Long Island into another Las Vegas. Gar does not get involved until a lady friend, Phyllis Thatcher, returns to town and together they take on this formidable and evil force. The story reaches a shattering climax that includes torture, kidnapping and murder. Along the way, the reader sees a good deal of the Hampton scene - Bobby Van's restaurant, the social crowd at the Meadowland (Maidstone) Club, the townspeople of Hampton Dunes -and how they all react to the invasion of the criminals. As the situation develops, local and summer people alike, have to make fundamental moral decisions - that require courage - about their life-styles, their environment, and their community.

Machiavelli is history's most startling political commentator. Recent interpreters have minimised his originality, but this book restores his radicalism. Robert Black shows a clear development in Machiavelli's thought. In his most subversive works The Prince, the Discourses on Livy, The Ass and Mandragola he rejected the moral and political values inherited by the Renaissance from antiquity and the middle ages. These outrageous compositions were all written in mid-life, when Machiavelli was a political outcast in his native Florence. Later he was reconciled with the Florentine establishment, and as a result his final compositions including his famous Florentine Histories represent a return to more conventional norms. This lucid work is perfect for students of Medieval and Early Modern History, Renaissance Studies and Italian Literature, or anyone keen to learn more about one of history's most potent, influential and arresting writers.