Michael Howard

Michael Eliot Howard

By the time the First World War ended in 1918, eight million people had died in what had been perhaps the most apocalyptic episode the world had known. This Very Short Introduction provides a concise and insightful history of the 'Great War', focusing on why it happened, how it was fought, and why it had the consequences it did. It examines the state of Europe in 1914 and the outbreak of war; the onset of attrition and crisis; the role of the US; the collapse of Russia; and the weakening and eventual surrender of the Central Powers. Looking at the historical controversies surrounding the causes and conduct of war, Michael Howard also describes how peace was ultimately made, and the potent legacy of resentment left to Germany. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

A Very Short Introduction

The First World War

Karl von Clausewitz's study On War was described by the American strategic thinker Bernard Brodie as 'not simply the greatest, but the only great book about war'. It is hard to disagree. Even though he wrote his only major work at a time when the range of firearms was fifty yards, much of what he had to say remains relevant today. Michael Howard explains Clausewitz's ideas in terms both of his experiences as a professional soldier in the Napoleonic Wars, and of the intellectual background of his time. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Clausewitz: A Very Short Introduction

David LeBlanc

Covers topics such as the importance of secure systems, threat modeling, canonical representation issues, solving database input, denial-of-service attacks, and security code reviews and checklists.

Writing Secure Code

Peter Paret

On War

In 1870 Bismarck ordered the Prussian Army to invade France, inciting one of the most dramatic conflicts in European history. It transformed not only the states-system of the Continent but the whole climate of European moral and political thought. The overwhelming triumph of German military might, evoking general admiration and imitation, introduced an era of power politics, which was to reach its disastrous climax in 1914. First published in 1961 and now with a new introduction, The Franco-Prussian War is acknowledged as the definitive history of one of the most dramatic and decisive conflicts in the history of Europe.

The German Invasion of France, 1870-1871

The Franco-Prussian War

A brilliantly written survey of the changing ways war has been made from the Norse invasions to the present day; its effects on the history of the Continent, and on social and political institutions; and the effect of technological and social change of war itself. 'Though he surveys a thousand years of history, he does so without sinking in a slough of facts and draws a broad outline of developments which will delight the general reader.' A. J. P. Taylor, (Observer)

War in European History

Actor Uncovered

The German Invasion of France 1870–1871

The Invention of Peace

The Occult Conspiracy

Lucifer s transgression is examined, as well as the penetrating and trangressive nature of his radiance. In the popular imagination, the fallen angel Lucifer evokes such concepts as heresy, rebellion, pride, liberation from the bonds of demiurgic oppression, and impetus for human evolution. From his earliest origins, the Proud Angel has been hailed by religious and artistic countercultures as a patron saint of enlightenment his most essential quality embodying overthrow of ignorance and the inspired process of revelation. Allied to ancient Gnostic Christian cosmological conceptions, the fallen angel has also found dominion within occult traditions, folk magic, philosophy, as well as art and literature. Lucifer has also, in many enduring mystical traditions, assumed a female form in the guise of Lucina, Lucia and Diana Lucifera. In his guise as the Serpent of Eden, he bestowed the magical philosophy of the Luciferian Woman, she who was not born of the clay, and was therefore especially receptive to the forbidden powers which would render one as God. "

Lucifer in Western Esotericism

The Luminous Stone

William Roger Louis

In this ambitious book, some of the most distinguished historians in the world survey the momentous events and the significant themes of recent times, with a look forward to what the future might bring. Early chapters take a global overview of the century as a whole, from a variety of perspectives - demographic, scientific, economic, and cultural. Further chapters, all written by acknowledged experts, chart the century's course, region by region. The Oxford History of the Twentieth Century is an invaluable repository of information and offers unparalleled insights on the twentieth century.

The Oxford History of Twentieth Century

John Viega

"What makes this book so important is that it reflects the experiences of two of the industry's most experienced hands at getting real-world engineers to understand just what they're being asked for when they're asked to write secure code. The book reflects Michael Howard's and David LeBlanc's experience in the trenches working with developers years after code was long since shipped, informing them of problems." --From the Foreword by Dan Kaminsky, Director of Penetration Testing, IOActive Eradicate the Most Notorious Insecure Designs and Coding Vulnerabilities Fully updated to cover the latest security issues, 24 Deadly Sins of Software Security reveals the most common design and coding errors and explains how to fix each one-or better yet, avoid them from the start. Michael Howard and David LeBlanc, who teach Microsoft employees and the world how to secure code, have partnered again with John Viega, who uncovered the original 19 deadly programming sins. They have completely revised the book to address the most recent vulnerabilities and have added five brand-new sins. This practical guide covers all platforms, languages, and types of applications. Eliminate these security flaws from your code: SQL injection Web server- and client-related vulnerabilities Use of magic URLs, predictable cookies, and hidden form fields Buffer overruns Format string problems Integer overflows C++ catastrophes Insecure exception handling Command injection Failure to handle errors Information leakage Race conditions Poor usability Not updating easily Executing code with too much privilege Failure to protect stored data Insecure mobile code Use of weak password-based systems Weak random numbers Using cryptography incorrectly Failing to protect network traffic Improper use of PKI Trusting network name resolution

24 Deadly Sins of Software Security: Programming Flaws and How to Fix Them

Describes the five kinds of magic, explains the principles of using magical powers, and looks at ritual accessories

The Prediction Book of Practical Magic

In this book, a preeminent military historian considers why this is so."--BOOK JACKET.

Reflections on War and International Order

Vincent van Gogh produced over 2000 works of art during his short career, but did not achieve fame as an artist until after his death. He led a troubled life, dealing with commercial failure, difficult personal relationships and eventually mental illness, culminating in his suicide in 1890. He made little money from his art during his lifetime, but his paintings are now some of the best-known and most expensive works in the world. The first half of this fascinating new book contains a detailed exploration of van Gogh's life, including his background, early career, influences and relationships. Beginning with his birth in the Netherlands in 1853, it details his childhood, family life, education and work-life before he began painting in 1880. Initially influenced by the Impressionist artists whose work he encountered during his time in Paris, van Gogh played a huge role in shaping the development of modern art, as an early pioneer of what came to be known as Expressionism. His influences and achievements are explained clearly and comprehensively with informative and attractive illustrations throughout. The second half of the book comprises a beautifully illustrated and comprehensive gallery, presenting over 280 full colour representations of his significant works, from his early sketches and paintings to the hugely famous Sunflowers, Irises and The Starry Night. These superb reproductions are accompanied by thorough analysis of each painting and its significance within the context of van Gogh's life, his technique and his body of work as a whole. This comprehensive new book is an essential volume for anyone who wants to learn more about this intriguing artist, and to survey their greatest works in one beautfully illustrated collection.

His Life and Works in 500 Images

Van Gogh

The Fifth and final book in Michael Howard's 'Witchcraft in the British Isles' series, Irish Witches, Magicians and Faeries examines the history of Irish sorcery and its convergence with the witchcraft era. Including both historical personages and actual occult witchcraft practices over the centuries, the book also examines the importance of enduring faerie lore to folk magical practice.

Irish Witches, Magicians and Faeries

An overview of how esoteric brotherhoods have shaped history • Examines the secret chronology and clandestine causes of seminal world events • Shows how secret societies feed into one another, and how they have worked together For thousands of years secret societies--guardians of ancient esoteric wisdom--have exercised a strong and often crucial influence on the destiny of nations. Though largely ignored by orthodox historians, the Freemasons, Knights Templar, and Rosicrucians affected the course of the French and American Revolutions as well as the overthrow of the medieval feudal order. Inevitably, the true ideals and esoteric practices of these societies have, at times, been perverted by self-serving individuals. The Nazis and the Bolsheviks, British security forces, the founding fathers of America, and the Vatican have all justified their actions--for good or for ill--by claiming the mystic ideals of secret societies. Michael Howard explores these connections, tracing their effects in politics and statecraft from the time of ancient Egypt up to the present. He sheds light on the influence of secret societies on governments and in the lives of many well-known figures, including Frederick the Great, John Dee, Francis Bacon, Benjamin Franklin, Comte de Cagliostro, Helena Blavatsky, Rasputin, and Woodrow Wilson. He contends that the recent formation of the European Union was directed by an umbrella group of secret societies and reveals that though secret societies have been persecuted throughout history, they have survived and continue to operate powerfully in world affairs today.

Their Influence and Power from Antiquity to the Present Day

Secret Societies

Adolf M. Birke

R. Ahmann

With the end of the Cold War, Europe stands at the crossroads. Today's quest is for a new security order which will provide lasting stability. After the First World War, and again after the Second World War the Western European states faced a similar problem. Many of our present problems havehistorical roots. The book examines the security policies developed after each of the two world wars. It asks what ideas shaped them and what difficulties they faced. Continuities and discontinuities are traced. Particular attention is paid to the question of how Western Europe achieved a newstability in the 1950s. This volumes brings together the work of twenty historians from eight countries. It deals with foreign policy, political and economic challenges, the impact of new military technologies and strategies, and the aims of the peace movement and the trade unions.

Michael Howard

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