Almost twenty years after the Soviet Unions end what are we to make of its existence? Was it a heroic experiment an unmitigated disaster or a viable if flawed response to the modern world? Taking a fresh approach to the study of the Soviet Union this Very Short Introduction blends political history with an investigation into the society & culture at the time. Stephen Lovell examines aspects of patriotism political violence poverty & ideology; & provides answers to some of the big questions about the Soviet experience. ...

The Soviet invasion of its neighbour Afghanistan in December 1979 sparked a bloody nine-year conflict in that country until Soviet forces withdrew in 1988-89 dooming the communist Afghanistan government to defeat at the hands of the Mujahideen the Afghan popular resistance backed by the USA & other powers. The Soviet invasion had enormous implications on the global stage; it prompted the US Senate to refuse to ratify the hard-won SALT II arms-limitation treaty & the USA & 64 other countries boycotted the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics. For Afghanistan the invasion served to prolong the interminable civil war that pitted central government against the regions & faction against faction. The country remains locked in conflict over 30 years later with no end in sight. Featuring specially drawn mapping & drawing upon a wide range of sources this succinct account explains the origins history & consequences of the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan thereby shedding new light on the more recent history
- & prospects
- of that troubled country.

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This gift box

Includes:: everything needed for kids to grow an enchanting mix of fairy flowers! Kids will love

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Its Lincolnshire 1926. Kate Hilton is devastated when he mother tells her she is to be sent away to boarding school. For the more Esther tries to keep her from her childhood sweetheart Danny the more determined she is to marry him. It isnt until she is eighteen & finally told the bitter truth about her familys past that Kate is forced to see why she & Danny can never marry. Torn apart by these revelations Kate finds unexpected release with the outbreak of war when she leaves Fleethaven Point to become a driver in the WAAF. In the chaos & destruction of the war years Kate will witness many things. For as well as all the pain suffering & loss she will experience her first taste of a love that finally allows her to leave the past behind... ...

A fascinating look into the extraordinary history of the Sowrey family; an RAF dynasty whose service spans the first sixty-five years of the RAFs existence. Members fought in both world wars & five of the Sowreys were awarded the Air Force Cross amongst their other numerous decorations. Three brothers John Fred & William all served in World War I with distinction before service in Iraq & the Middle East. The next generation of Sowreys started at Cranwell in 1938; one was killed in action in the Western Desert but John jnr & Freddie served throughout on fighter operations in the desert & north-west Europe whilst a sister served in the WAAF. Also during World War II Air Cdre William Sowrey served as an AOC in the often-forgotten campaign in East Africa. John Sowrey went on to become a test pilot in the halcyon days of 1950-fighters & Freddie served in fighters before taking up more senior policy & diplomatic appointments during the Cold War. Their diverse individual careers & experiences worldwide provide great scope for study into the history & development of the RAF from World War I to the later stages of the Cold War. ...

Meet Henry an ordinary boy in an extraordinary house... Step inside Henrys House & join Henry Jaggers the caretaker & a quirky cast of characters as they find out everything there is to know about space. Fact-packed fun-packed get packed.. .and head for Henrys House! ...

This is a great fun flap book packed with interesting information about space & the amazing things that float through it
- stars
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This title offers everything you ever wanted to know about space. Take your child on a journey to space & beyond theyll learn what space is & take a whirl around the sun moon & stars. Packed with out-of-this-world pictures from space kids will explore our universe as never before. Exclusive interviews eyewitness accounts incredible facts & more will teach them everything they need to know. Its an incredible look at the universe in which we live
- perfect for space enthusiasts & budding astronomers.
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Fans of Marian Keyes will love The Space Between Us" a heart-breaking story of friendship from award-nominated author Anna Mc Partlin. From babyhood Eve & Lily were best friends. But one huge fight & 17 years later Eve wakes up from a horrific accident to find her old friend nursing her. At first their reunion is tentative but during Eve's many months in hospital they confront both the lies of the past & their present failures. & each clearly sees how the other needs to change her life: Lily must get out of an impossible marriage & Eve has to face up to the pain she has caused others. The crisis that brought Eve & Lily together again seems like a blessing that has given them a second chance to be there for each other when they most need someone to lean on. Little do they suspect that their friendship is under a threat that will change the future forever..." Anna Mc Partlin can make you feel despair & sadness but she can also make you see the light at the end of the tunnel. It's quite an impressive feat. If you haven't already tried Anna Mc Partlin then you are definitely missing out. She is one of the finest writers around & " The Space Between Us" is one of the best tales of friendship". (Chicklitreviewsandnews.com). " Anna's warmth & humour shine through as she takes the reader on a journey through laughter & tears". ("U Magazine"). Anna Mc Partlin believes that even the darkest times have their lighter moments & she tells tales that are authentic deeply emotional & yet often deeply funny. " The Space Between Us" is Anna Mc Partlin at the height of her storytelling powers. Before her writing career took off Anna was among other things a st&-up comedian & a claims adjuster. Her first novel " Pack Up The Moon" was shortlisted as Newcomer of the Year in the Irish Book Awards & her writing has gone from strength to strength ever since. Her other titles include " No Way to Say Goodbye" " The One I Love" & " The Truth Will Out"." ...

In the 25th Century the British Space Empire thrives in Earth's corner of the Milky Way. The only threat is the gathering menace of the evil Ghast Empire whose arachnoid stormtroopers are hell bent on galactic domination & the extermination of all humanoid life. Captain Isambard Smith is the square-jawed courageous & somewhat asinine new commander of the clapped out & battle damaged light cruiser John Pym. His entire crew comprises his trusted friend Suruk a seven foot tusked & mandibled headhunter his android pilot who is secretly a fugitive sex toy & a hamster called Gerald. Their mission is a simple one: to collect new-age herbalist Rhianna Mitchell from the laid back New Francisco orbiter & bring her back to Earth. Straightforward enough
- except the Ghasts want her too & in addition to a whole fleet of Ghast warships Smith has to confront void sharks a universe-weary android assassin & John Gilead psychopathic naval officer from the fanatically religious Republic of Eden.
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