Amazon sells at a steep discount, and that hurts publishers. We sell at retail, but what you generally get from us is accurate info, a better wrapped book that has not been handled, and usually a SIGNED COPY, no extra charge above retail. Our market, though, is not direct sales.

I knew Hans Goebeler, author of ``Steel Boats.`` He died a few years ago from cancer. It is a teriffic book.

My personal expertise is German U-boats, and I knew many of the commanders. Ace Erich Topp (U-552, for example), was VERY close friend. He recently passed away. I miss him dearly. I have edited two books on U-boats: ``Silent Hunters: German U-boat Commander of WWII,`` [Naval Institute Press, Spellount] (Topp wrote the first chapter) and the more recent ``Hunt and Kill: U-505 and the U-boat War in the Atlantic`` (Spellmount, UK, and Savas Beatie LLC).

I am working on a U-boat novel now.

Email me any time you want to shoot the hay on this subject.

Thanks for your business.

Cheers,

tps