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BOOKS IN BRIEF / May 2008 |
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Teutonic Knights, Medieval Polish Armies, TEUTONIC KNIGHT 1190-1561 This is the 124th title of Osprey's "Warrier" series that illustrates the daily lives of Knights and Templars in this historic period. The book contains maps, detailed illustrations, color plates with commentaries, and black and white photographs. The statues, arms, armor, effigies, seals, carved heads, monasteries and towers provide a visual insight on the armament and training of the Knights. During the Third Crusade a hospital was granted Papal recognition as an independent military order, which became the Brethren of the German Hospital of St. Mary, better known as the Teutonic Knights. The story of the Teutonic Knights begins with the crusades in the Middle East in battles for territories and pagan souls. Originally formed to help re-conquer the Holy Land, the Knights soon established their own power base with fortresses, monasteries and castle-convents from the Mediterranean to the Baltic Coast. But the newly emerging monarchies in the late middle ages had no place for this military order. A chronology, bibliography, index are included, all of which adds to the wealth of information in this book. MEDIEVAL POLISH ARMIES 966-1500 The book is the 445th title in Osprey's Men-at-Arms series, exploring the history and organization of the world's military forces, past and present. Poland became a Christian nation in AD 966, and militarily under the rule of Prince Mieszko I. The developing nation was in conflict with German feudal lords and other pagan tribes. Professional household troops, druzhina, were supported by the local military militias, or woye during wartime. This part-time militia soon had to rely on a professional group when the crusading military—Hospitallers and Templars—gained footholds on Polish soil. This was counteracted by the foundation of the Polish Brethren of Dobrzyn, Knights of the Cross, By the mid-12th to early 14th century, a knightly class of warriors developed as part of the feudal system of government. The Teutonic Knights were defeated in 1331, resulting in a peaceful reign of Casimir III, one of the country's greatest administrators and castle-builders. The Kingdom of Poland joined the Kingdom of Hungary, following Casimir's death. Later one of King Louis's daughters, Jadwiga, married Duke Jogaila of Lithuania, who converted to Christianity along with the country. Previously rivals, the two countries were joined together and fought Mongol invasions, Russian principalities and the Teutonic knights. By the 15th century significant changes took place in the medieval Polish armies. Mercenary troops were introduced into Polish armies, using advanced Hussite tactics, siege methods and naval warfare. Poland had been a land-locked state, but finally defeated the Teutonic Knights in 1466, becoming a vassal of the Polish crown. The text illustrates the rich collection of sculptures, artifacts, photographs and drawings of tools and armour. Commentaries are provided for the color plates. A chronology, bibliography and index are included. JON SCIESZKA'S TRUCKTOWN, SMASH! CRASH! This over-sized book of brilliant colored pages will be a delight for children ages 3-7. Jack Truck and Dump Truck Dan ride around town, looking for things to smash and crash. Someone is calling them, but they drive away. They ask Cement Mixer Melvin to come smash with them, but he is too busy, so they crash into Melvin, making a mess. They hear someone calling again, but roll up to Monster Truck Max, asking him to crash and smash with them, but he is too busy. So they do it themselves. They call to Gabriella Garbage Truck and Grader Kat to come with them, but they are too busy as well. Again a voice calls, louder this time. It is Wrecking Crane Rosie, who wants them to follow her. She wants them to help her. Read and learn what Wrecking Crane wants Jack and Dan to do. The inside covers and facing pages contain drawings of thirteen different large work trucks. The Much-Loved Lehigh Valley by Mark Kohan For Matt Wronski, railroading is more than a career. It has been his life. |
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"They were tried and true railroaders," he said. Only one group held the railroad in higher admiration, and that was its fans. Considered the underdog of Northeast railroads, the Lehigh Valley attracted followers from all corners of the globe. They were inspired by the railroad's ability to put on a good face, even as the economic realities of the 1960s and '70s put a stranglehold on its budget. "The Valley just kept reinventing itself," said Wronski. As more people turned to America's highways and airlines, the Lehigh Valley became the first Class 1 railroad to abolish mainline passenger service. It worked out arrangements with other railroads to serve as a bridge line, and was one of the first railroads to see the profit to be made in putting tractor trailers on flatcars. The Lehigh Valley did more than make due with used and borrowed equipment. Its mechanical department brought international visitors who wanted to see just how things were done. But it was not enough to keep the railroad viable. Fans and employees saw where things were headed. In an effort to keep alive the Lehigh Valley's memory, they photographed the railroad and its operations. Now, decades after its demise, these photos are making their way into print. The most recent one is by Buffalo railroad photographer and historian Ken Kraemer. "The Lehigh Valley Railroad: A Photo Album" is already earning rave reviews on internet news groups and in fan journals. Kraemer spent much time documenting the Lehigh Valley's operations with his camera from the mid-1950s to the railroad's end in 1976. With emphasis on the often overlooked West end of the route, the book contains over 250 of Kraemer's photos in both color and black and white. The last few days of operation in the Buffalo area are uniquely covered, and there are follow-up sections on former Lehigh Valley locomotives operated under Conrail and Delaware & Hudson, and photos of traces of the Lehigh Valley that survive to the present day. With an accent on the aesthetic side of the railroad's operations, Kramer's photos capture the essence of the railroad, and take you back to one of the most interesting times in Northeastern railroading. For Wronski, who shares an enthusiasm for the Lehigh Valley and railroad photography with Kraemer, this book is a testament to company's employees. "We never looked at it as a job; it was something we wanted to do. It's great to see that passion is still alive over thirty years later." "The Lehigh Valley Railroad: A Photo Album" is available from RR Trax Studios, P.O. Box 995, Cumberland, MD 21501; (301) 729-2825; www.rrtraxstudios.com; or from the author at kenkraemer@hotmail.com. |
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© 2008 POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL, P.O. BOX 328, BOSTON, NY 14025-0328 | (716) 312-8088 | Toll Free (800) 422-1275 |
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