A completely circular Russian warship, a pantsless colonel—this compendium examines some of the most remarkable campaigns, incidents, and characters from the earliest recorded histories to the second Gulf war These strange but true stories include figures both famous and obscure, from Wellington, Churchill, and Napoleon to maverick soldier "Popski" Peniakoff, who commanded a company of British soldiers in North Africa during World War II. Known as "Popski's Private Army," this motley bunch were highly unorthodox but very effective in raiding Axis supply columns and destroying Luftwaffe aircraft. Then there's the unusual Russian warship Novgorod, which was completely circular, and the Victoria Cross winner who survived completely unscathed against all odds; not to mention the old colonel who went into battle with his trousers down and the woman who fought as a man for nearly 20 years without being discovered. Making for bizarre yet absorbing reading, this history highlights the origins of strange regimental traditions, heroic and ridiculous soldiering, and the folly of commanding officers throughout the ages.
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About the Author:
Tom Quinn is the author of Fishing's Strangest Days, Flu: A Social History of Influenza, London's Strangest Tales, Science's Strangest Inventions, and Shooting's Strangest Days.
Review:
Endlessly entertaining, these albums of mad miscellany abound with true accounts of history’s strangest characters and events—from potty potentates to dotty inventions. A mind-boggling excursion through the byways of the bizarre.
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- PublisherAnova Books
- Publication date2011
- ISBN 10 1907554130
- ISBN 13 9781907554131
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages256
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Rating