Mark Lardas, educated as a naval architect, worked for over 30 years as an engineer, space navigator and technical writer in the space, aviation, and energy industries. He has an abiding interest in maritime, naval, and military history, with an emphasis on ship construction and engineering from the 9th to the 21st centuries. He is the author of over 20 published books on these subjects. Adam Hook studied graphic design and began his work as an illustrator in 1983. He specializes in detailed historical reconstructions and has illustrated Osprey titles on subjects as diverse as the Aztecs, the Ancient Greeks, Roman battle tactics, several 19th-century American subjects, the modern Chinese Army, and a number of books in the Fortress series. His work features in exhibitions and publications throughout the world.