Author: Bill Harriman Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing ISBN: 147284534X Category : History Languages : en Pages : 81
Book Description
Although muskets delivered devastating projectiles at comparatively long ranges, their slow rate of fire left the soldier very vulnerable while reloading, and early muskets were useless for close-quarter fighting. Consequently, European infantry regiments of the 17th century were composed of both musketeers and pikemen, who protected the musketeers while loading but also formed the shock component for close-quarter combat. The development of the flintlock musket produced a much less cumbersome and faster-firing firearm. When a short knife was stuck into its muzzle, every soldier could be armed with a missile weapon as well as one that could be used for close combat. The only disadvantage was that the musket could not be loaded or fired while the plug bayonet was in place. The socket bayonet solved this problem and the musket/bayonet combination became the universal infantry weapon from c.1700 to c.1870. The advent of shorter rifled firearms saw the attachment of short swords to rifle barrels. Their longer blades still gave the infantryman the 'reach' that contemporaries believed he needed to fend off cavalry attacks. The perfection of the small-bore magazine rifle in the 1890s saw the bayonet lose its tactical importance, becoming smaller and more knife-like, a trend that continued in the world wars. When assault rifles predominated from the 1950s onwards, the bayonet became a weapon of last resort. Its potential usefulness continued to be recognized, but its blade was often combined with an item with some additional function, most notably a wire-cutter. Ultimately, for all its fearsome reputation as a visceral, close-quarter fighting weapon, the bayonet's greatest impact was actually as a psychological weapon. Featuring full-colour artwork as well as archive and close-up photographs, this is the absorbing story of the complementary weapon to every soldier's firearm from the army of Louis XIV to modern-day forces in all global theatres of conflict.
Author: Ted Russ Publisher: ISBN: 9781734392500 Category : Languages : en Pages :
Book Description
How far must a man go to outrun the sins of war? The year is 2062. Somewhere between Earth and Mars, the deep-space freighter Odysseus travels toward the asteroid belt on a routine cargo haul. Paul Owens-formerly one of the military's most elite augmented soldiers, and now a convicted prisoner- works off his sentence as a member of the small crew. As they journey deeper into space, the captain begins to doubt the intentions of their ship's powerful integrated artificial intelligence, which monitors and controls every aspect of the Odysseus's operation. When misfortune befalls the isolated crew, Paul must somehow find a way to continue the captain's secret investigation. Paul forms an unlikely bond with a crewmate. As they fight to stay alive on the Odysseus, Paul recounts the terrible events that forced him to leave Earth, where AI has changed everything about warfare. As soldiers, Paul and his comrades had to face enemies determined to kill them, and a military-industrial complex desperate to profit, while they struggled to survive and live up to their code of duty, honor, and loyalty. Will Paul survive the journey to the asteroid belt? And can he ever escape his past?
Author: Shirley M. Tighe Publisher: Elsevier Health Sciences ISBN: 0323243207 Category : Medical Languages : en Pages : 368
Book Description
A must-have manual for anyone working with instruments in the clinical environment! Instrumentation for the Operating Room: A Photographic Manual, 9th Edition provides a practical, true-color guide to today’s most commonly used surgical instruments. A reader-friendly format includes clear instructions on preparation, sterilization, and setup, and goes beyond other books in showing not only individual instruments but also instruments in sets according to surgical procedure. This edition includes 13 new chapters as well as many new photographs throughout the book. Written by an experienced perioperative nurse, Shirley Tighe, this resource includes more than 1,000 photographs of instruments and instrument tips in the book and on the Evolve companion website — that’s more than any other manual! Over 800 photographs in the book show both individual and sets of instruments, including whole instruments and instrument tips, to help in distinguishing between similar types. Instrument Preparation for Surgery unit discusses the importance of proper instrument handling and sterilization, including proper placement within sterilization trays. Entire unit on female reproductive surgery focuses on a key area not well covered in other books. Excellent quality of photos is enhanced by a consistent background to show the detail and true color of the instruments. A logical organization covers instruments by surgical procedures, beginning with simpler surgeries and progressing to more specialized instruments and their setups. Coverage of instrumentation addresses a single surgery in each chapter, showing instruments first as a set, then displaying them individually, and featuring instrument tips as appropriate. Spiral-bound format allows the book to lay flat for easier access while on the job. Six NEW chapters are included in the updated Genitourinary Surgery unit. NEW photographs are added to the Neurosurgery unit. NEW! Evolve companion website includes photographs and images of less common procedures.