Good books?

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

Hey everyone,

So I mentioned in a couple threads I was reading “Armored Thunderbolt” about the Sherman tank in WW2 (though more of an “on the ground” accounting of not just the Sherman but the U.S. Armor command and vehicles in general), which I finished today. I liked it a lot, both for the great information I learned but also the tons of photos. So now I am thinking of getting this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Another-River-Town-Teenage-Combat-1945/dp/0375759638/ref=pd_sim_b_5

I am thinking it will be nice to get even more “personal” by reading memoirs of someone who actually crewed a Sherman. But what is more I was thinking it might be nice to expend more beyond just the Sherman. So I am wondering if anyone has some good book suggestions on World War 2 armor. Not Nuts and Bolts stuff like Hunnicuts book on the Sherman, or the numerous Squadron Walk Around type books. I am talking about stories written by men who designed, built, drove or commanded armored vehicles. American, British, Commonwealth, German, Russian, Italian…does not matter to me. It does not have to be a personal history per se. Books like Armored Thunderbolt are cool too (i.e. gives overviews of the “who, what, when, where, why and how”), just not really looking for nuts and bolts reference type material.

So, anyone have any good suggestions?

Brian

2

Irwin’s book is a good choice. Others I recommend:

Belton Cooper “Death Traps”

Hans Von Luck “Panzer Commander”

Albin Irzyk “He Rode Up Front for Patton”

Dmitry Loza “Commanding the Red Army’s Shermans”

Gerry Chester’s online personal narrative of his time in Churchills http://northirishhorse.net/narrative/index.html

Capt Morrell’s development of the Churchill NA75 http://www.track48.com/shop/xnews.php?newsid=167

My interview with German tank veteran/tank commander Wolfgang Kloth http://www.amps-armor.org/ampssite/bbs/bbsDetail.aspx?forum=5&ID=9882&page=3

3

Roy, those look like some great suggestions. Thanks! Steven Zaloga also suggested The Great Tank Scandal by David Fletcher as a great read for British armor development, but alas Amazon lists this (as well as "He Rode Up Front for Patton) over $150…yikes!!!

Brian

4

I got Irzyk’s book through the Inter-Library Exchange where your local public library can obtain books on loan for you from other libraries throughout the USA. Stop by and speak to the reference librarian. Not every city can afford it but it’s a great service. I recall getting Hunnicutt’s Stuart book on loan. On the inside cover, the owning Libary was stamped: it was from the US Coast Guard academy! And I live in Michigan.