Books published by FONTHILL MEDIA LTD

In 1793, George Macartney became Britain's first envoy to imperial China, and set off one of the greatest power shifts in history. The impasse that resulted from Macartney's refusal to agree to kowtow to the Emperor Qianlong causes great reverberations even today, and is still a source of tension between Beijing and the West.

'Off Target' relates in detail the then "Secret" research, development, and combat employment of these early guided bombs, missiles, and drones from 1917 to 1948. Using formerly Secret/Confidential manuals, reports, microfilm print outs, and photos, author Wolf, gives the air war historian and enthusiast an in depth look at this unknown topic.

The innovative Fi 156 was the progenitor of today's STOL aircraft. Operated in large by the German Luftwaffe, it also saw service with more than 20 other air arms. Post-war, the Fi 156 continued in production in Czechoslovakia and France. Many were used in French Indochina. Today, the Fi 156 is a highly valued vintage aircraft.

Outside of the Nazi hierarchy, Odilo Globocnik is the most culpable in the planned and almost successfully executed attempt to annihilate the Jews of Europe. The crime of mass murder far outweighs the less significant, but nevertheless considerable, offenses of robbery and human trafficking, for obvious reasons. Globocnik was guilty of them all.

John Gwynne's lifelong love of Manchester City is interspersed with stories about his broadcasting career and memorable evenings on the dinner circuit. 'Soccer Satisfied' is a nostalgic and warm journey through different eras. John meets many of the game's greats, from Trautmann to Ferguson. His distinctive voice emanates from every page.

The story of one of Britain's most distinguished RAF stations. Not as well-known as Biggin Hill, Manston was the nearest airfield to the Luftwaffe and suffered accordingly. The station's motto was 'Arise to Protect' and in two wars Manston carried out that role. It was the only station that housed aircraft of every command as well as the USAAF.

LIGHTNING STRIKES-THE LOCKHEED P-38 is a comprehensive history of one of the most successful and versatile aircraft of the Second World War. The book covers its design, production and technical details as well as its service in every USAAF combat theatre, with foreign air forces and as postwar civilian aircraft-supplemented by detailed appendices.

Imperial Austria weathered the year of revolutions in 1848 when Ferdinand abdicated in favour of Francis Joseph, whose reign saw family tragedy and scandal. His successor Charles abdicated in 1918, though his son Otto was a Member of the European Parliament. This examines the final Habsburg chapter, from the Napoleonic era to post-war Europe.

This masterly study of King Henry VI, unparalleled in its informative detail, examines the entire span of the king's reign, from the death of Henry V in 1422, when Henry was only nine months old, to the period of his insanity at the beginning of the Wars of the Roses, his dethronement in 1461 and his murder ten years later.

'Transatlantic Liners 1950-1970' is a glorious reference of a grand but bygone age to those passenger ships, large and small, that crossed the Atlantic.

Network Greater Manchester chronicles the historic, diverse, busy railway and tram systems that serve 493 square miles of North West England. Ongoing changes to operations, rolling stock and infrastructure since the 1970's are illustrated with high-quality, previously unpublished colour images.

When nothing seemed able to contain the German advance, France, Great Britain and the USSR developed several programs of emergency fighters, as did Australia, to face the Japanese expansion. At the time the course of events switched, it was the Axis powers that had to create their own last resource designs of PANIC FIGHTERS, some of them suicidal.

After the War Manston became a Transport Command staging post. Between 1950 and 1958 Manston was under the control of the USAAF. The 60s were dominated by aircraft using the Foam Landing system which became operational in 1964. Until it closed in 1999 RAF Manston remained an important front-line station with a long history going back to 1916.

Northamptonshire's central position astride some of England's major routes made it the scene of decisive battles, skirmishes and sieges whose evidence is reflected in the landscape. Visible defensive sites, ranging from castles to missile bases, are described in this book and placed in their social, political, historical and military contexts.

Shellac and Swing! tells the story of the gramophone's 'golden age,' when it helped to shape Britain's musical, social and political life and impacted widely on art, literature, style and design. Its heyday ended in the '50s with the rise of the record player, but it thrives today as part of Britain's vibrant contemporary music and lifestyle scene.