Armed Forces

Brought to you by Penguin. In the summer of 1940, Britain was under siege. Poland, Belgium, Holland, Norway and France had already fallen, and the British army had been routed on the continent, leading to the chaotic evacuation at Dunkirk. In the rubble of the Allie’s crumbled defence...

The young Welshmen selected grew to become the closest of friends as they navigated their way through the difficult sniper cadre. After losing one of their own to the Taliban shortly after the course, Ted and the rest of the lads deployed to Helmand Province and the raging war for the second time. As the tour in Afghanistan came to an end, Ted began to feel the effects of what will later be diagnosed as post-traumatic stress disorder, and it quickly took over his life, sending him on a downward spiral.

Under the Red Flag and Beyond: The History of the Soviet Submarine Programme by Hugh Ravenscroft is a deeply researched and compelling exploration of one of the most secretive and strategically vital elements of modern military power. This book moves beyond the familiar narrative of technological progress and instead uncovers the political, industrial, and human forces that shaped over a century of Soviet and Russian undersea warfare.

The United States Army Rangers occupy a distinctive place in the long arc of American military history, not simply because of the operations they have carried out, but because of the idea they represent. Across centuries, wars, and shifting technologies, the Ranger identity has persisted as a practical answer to a recurring challenge: how to solve the hardest problems of warfare quickly, decisively, and often with limited resources. These problems are rarely neat or predictable.

War in the desert has always carried with it a certain mythology. Vast, open landscapes stretching beyond the horizon, the shimmer of heat rising from endless sand, and the sense that movement itself becomes both freedom and danger. In such an environment, conventional warfare struggles to take root. Supply lines grow fragile, navigation becomes uncertain, and survival depends as much on understanding the land as it does on confronting the enemy.

Bloomsbury presents D'you Hear There!: Daily Pipes of the Royal Navy by Richard Harris, read by David Rintoul. A unique approach to describing life at sea in the Royal Navy. Despite the introduction of modern-day technology, Ships and Submarines of the Royal Navy still operate on the basis of...

The True Story of Britain’s Elite at Sea: The SBS and Naval Commandos by Mick Trenlow-Symes is a powerful and detailed exploration of one of the most secretive and highly specialised military forces in the world. Operating in silence, often beyond the reach of conventional forces, the Special Boat Service and Britain’s naval commandos represent a unique form of military capability. Their work is not defined by visibility or recognition, but by precision, discipline, and the ability to operate in environments where uncertainty is constant and risk is unavoidable.

Bloomsbury presents Coventry by Frederick Taylor, read by Leighton Pugh On 14 November 1940 the historic city of Coventry was subjected to the longest and most devastating air raid Britain had yet witnessed. After eleven hours of relentless bombardment by the German Luftwaffe, residents emerged...

In the vast and unforgiving landscapes of the Second World War, few military formations have attracted as much attention, debate, and controversy as the Waffen-SS. Often described as an elite fighting force, it was at once a product of ideology, a tool of the Nazi regime, and a significant component of Germany’s war effort. Yet behind the reputation lies a far more complex and challenging story.

Arnold Döring was just twenty-three years old when he flew his first mission against the Soviet Union on June 21, 1941. On that day he started writing his diary. His account not only describe the technical aspects and the difficulties posed by weather and terrain, but are also filled with...

Bloomsbury presents Operation Market-Garden 1944 (1): The American Airborne Missions by Steven J. Zaloga, read by Tom Alexander Overshadowed by the dramatic British failure at Arnhem, the US 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions were a vital component of Operation Market-Garden and succeeded in...

Bloomsbury presents Operation Market-Garden 1944 (3): The British XXX Corps Missions by Ken Ford, read by Tom Alexander The final instalment in Osprey's trilogy on Operation Market-Garden, this is a fascinating account of the British XXX Corps assault towards the Rhine at Arnhem. Field Marshal...

Discover the gripping, untold story of one of World War II’s most elite fighting forces—the Fallschirmjäger. In The Fallschirmjäger: Germany’s Elite Airborne Soldiers, Mick Trenlow Symes meticulously examines the rise, legacy, and ultimate fall of these extraordinary German paratroopers, providing a comprehensive account of their military prowess and significance during the Second World War. This audiobook offers a deep dive into the world of the Fallschirmjäger, exploring their origins, training, pivotal battles, and the profound influence they had on modern airborne warfare.

Bloomsbury presents Holding the Line: The Naval Air Campaign In Korea by Thomas McKelvey Cleaver, read by Robert G Slade. Naval and air power were crucial to the United Nations’ success in the Korean War, as it sought to negate the overwhelming Chinese advantage in manpower. In what became...

Bloomsbury presents Pacific Thunder: The US Navy's Central Pacific Campaign, August 1943-October 1944 by Thomas McKelvey Cleaver, read by Stuart Milligan. A thorough and compelling investigation of the Central Pacific campaign in World War II that saw the US Navy progress from the edge of...