When you talk about terrorism; most people in New Zealand think about problems overseas. But those in Gisborne and the East Coast merely cast their minds back to the Ruatoria Troubles. From 1985 to 1990 the township was terrorised by a Maori sect calling itself The Rastafarians. Their story is one of the most bizarre chapters in modern New Zealand history. Yet most Kiwis under the age of forty have never even heard of The Rastas or their reign of terror... until now.
#1425370 in Books Peter Padfield 1998-03Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.23 x 1.55 x 6.12l; 1.81 #File Name: 0471249459608 pagesISBN13: 9780471249450Condition: NewNotes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Superb Book -- Deadly CampaignsBy John E. MackThis is a remarkably good book. Padfield assesses the World War II submarine campaigns of all the major belligerents and does so thoroughly. It is hard to imagine a better book on the subject for the general public. While I suspect Padfield dramatizes certain episodes in the submarine war beyond the evidence (but so did Thucidates); it does add both color and pathos to what must have been one of the most harrowing combat experiences imaginable. Padfield also stresses the extreme destructiveness of the submarine campaigns; both for the submariners and the merchant sailors who were the most common recipients of its horrors. Thousands of ships were sunk with most hands dying with them. And well over half of the German and Japanese submariners lost there lives; along with a strikingly high percentage of the American and British crew members. It is sobering to think of the environmental consequences of all the ships; with there oil; gas; and other toxic cargo still rusting on the ocean bottom. Perhaps in compensation for this; Padfield also stresses the great effectiveness of submarine warfare. He argues that the German U-boat campaign came close to brining Britain to its knees; and that the American submarine campaign against Japan was so effective that it probably would have forced Japan to surrender shortly even without the atomic bomb. An excellent; important; and horrifying book.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A definitive work on World War II submarine warfare.By K. Warren ClarkThis is a very well researched and written critique of submarine warfare during World War II. Padfield gives the reader a thorough understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the boats; tactics of both the subs and the convoy escorts and the evolving hunter-killer ships as the war progressed. It was enlightening to read the philosophy of how submarines evolved between the wars; how each navy perceived their primary function in the overall battle plans and how armaments for the subs developed; or didn't. Hitler's strict adherence to his plans at the exclusion of other ideas is well documented; but I found the narrow mindedness of British and American leaders and admirals eye-opening. To their credit; they saw their mistakes and errors in tactics before irreparable damage was done; but many sailors in the merchant marine and navies were to be lost unnecessarily. The British and American tactics toward convoy protection evolved quickly once the threat was recognized as serious and they brought technology to bear much faster than either the Germans or Japanese. After reading this book; the reader will look at World War II submarine warfare in a totally different light.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A most Absorbing; Educative and Enjoyable account of Submarine Ops in WW-2By KunalThis is a book to be cherished by all those who wish to understand submarine operations during World War-2. It is not that I have read too many books on submarine operations during the World War-2; but this account certainly appears comprehensive and complete. Moreover; the narration is interesting; pacy and absorbing. By all account; this is a BRILLIANT book. I can say with some confidence that this book does justice to the title; it clearly brings out the plans of warring nations of submarine building; the deployment ethos (very important - you will see how the Japanese and Americans did not utilise their submarine force well); the undeniable capability of the submarine to effect 'sea denial'. The book also brings out personal travails and experiences of crew; the difficult moral dilemmas in rescuing survivors; sometimes ethical and humane behaviour was dispensed with as survivors could help the opposing force localise the submarine; and the frustrating problem of American submarine fired torpedoes failing to explode. Above all; it is so difficult to believe that the British Admiralty so easily forgot the lessons that they learnt from WW-1; where the German submarines did not allow the Grand Fleet to operate with freedom and German submarines also sank a very large number of merchant men; which eventually forced USA to enter WW-1; and led to the emergence of convoying tactics. Peter Padfield covers various aspects of submarine operations from the higher strategic decision making level to the tactical level with finesse and astoundingly rich research. Although the book focusses a lot on German submarine operations and to some extent on British; American and Japanese; it does paint a fairly even picture of submarine operations during the WW-2. All submariners should read this book to understand the courage; professionalism and doggedness that forms the personality of the submariner - the silent guys (and gals now) of the silent service. A five star account; which is not to be missed. Go get your copy.
