It is nearly 50 years since the demise of the Third Reich, but the regime's militaria - the regalia, uniforms and decorations - still has the power to fascinate. Nazi Regalia not only documents the uniforms and insignia of Germany's fighting troops, but also deals with the trappings of the quasi-military organizations in interwar Germany.

It was hard to be a mere civilian in Nazi Germany; an individual could be a uniformed supporter of Adolf Hitler from childhood to old age. From the Hitler Youth, through the various civilian organizations like the DAF and Todt, to the civil service and 'old comrade' societies, all had special insignia at the very least, and most had full uniforms, with special head gear and edged weapons. Hitler said of his fighting troops that he had a traditional army, a National Socialist air force, and a Christian navy, and this comment reflects the extent of Nazi influence on the uniforms of each fighting arm.

Decorations were not just confined to the ubiquitous swastika. The design of rank insignia, regional identification badges, and battle awards, was a precise art. Awards were widely available -and highly-valued - principally because the leaders of the Reich knew that medals and cloth insignia were invaluable morale-boosters to troops at the front line.

Nazi Regalia catalogues a wide array of Reich decorations, from the menacing swastika flags that fluttered over much of Europe, to the fine details of the uniforms, with their cuff titles and iron crosses, eagles and colourful waffenfarbe. With over 250 colour and black and white illustrations - including some specially-commissioned photography-and a fascinating text, Nazi Regalia is a vital addition to the shelves of militaria buffs and historians.