Customer Reviews

Brazen Chariots

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I admit to having known Bob Crisp. Somehow his book does not give justice to the man. He writes in a modest manner which suggests that he only 'did his bit' as the British would say. This is far from the truth, as this book became virtually a set text for the Israeli army. For anyone wanting to know more about the confusion of desert tank warfare, this is the book to read.

Brazen chariots is an excellent nonfiction work about British crews that operated American M3 light tanks in the western desert in WWII. Robert Crisp describes the action of the daily battle (swanning about the blue) as well as the activity in the evening when men of battle attempt to get some rest while the mechanics and fitters prepare the armour for another day's battle. Major Crisp tells it like it was- the humor and the sadness. He daringly retells his own combat decisions and the results (which are not always flattering to himself). I've read this book several times over the years. I always find it refreshing and exciting. I regret that I only have a paperback issue. Highly recommended for anyone interested in Ameican M3 light tanks, British warfare tactics in the desert and leadership in combat.

As a Tank Commander in the British Army (RAC) I found this book to be extremely helpful when I first read it in the early sixties prior to my deployment in the Middle East. Desert tank warfare has changed very little, if at all, since Bob Crisp wrote his book - as witnessed by the Gulf War less than a decade ago. Indecision and incompetence is present in all military organizations, at every level, but it always appeared to me that the higher the level the more indecisive and incompetent were the perpetrators. It is an excellent book and I highly recommend it to any who would choose as his career to ride in a "Brazen Chariot".

I first read Major Crisp's book many years ago. Then I served as a tank platoon leader in Desert Storm. His book was the single biggest influence on my understanding of what I would face and how things passed. It is exceptional, honest, funny, and illuminating. If you are interested in military history at all, this is one of the best books you could ever read about men and tanks in combat.

This book is old and hard to find, but boy I was glad I did! My personal collection of WW2 books grows every year. Sometimes I hit upon a real gem. This book is one of them. Its a short narrative of tank warfare during Operation Crusader. The author writes well, and there are many amusing stories thrown in. I found this book hard to put down, and in the end was almost moved to tears. I learned more about the conditions these guys went through in North Africa then any other book I have read concerning the African campaigns. Its a damned fine story. Read it. On another note I found out that the author, Bob Crisp, passed away in 1994. Too bad, I would have loved to thank him personally for such a great read.

I enjoyed this thoroughly. The book is a rare viewpoint from a tank commander in the Desert in WWII. Really shows the confusion so much a part of any war, but particularly this campaign.

This is one of the finest first hand accounts of the British armor battles fought in North Africa Desert during November and December 1941. It is a very well written account were the author allows you feel the emotion, tension, and fear experienced by the gallant soldiers 3rd Royal Tank Regiment. They operate the under gunned US M3 Light Tank (affectionately nick named "Honey" by the British), while fast and mobile being powered by an radial engine designed for aircraft could out run the larger German Mark III medium tanks but were out gunned by the 50mm and short barreled 75mm cannons while armed these these tanks.

You travel with Captain Crisp as he swans across the North African sands as the advance guard for his battalion fid and the charging the enemy in a head long all out cavalry style charge similar that of the Light Brigade of old.

The story covers Captain Robert Crisp's gallant efforts to lead his troop of "Honeys" against German logistic columns guarded by armored cars and combating other armor columns for the capture of a key airfield. You can feel the vastness of the open desert and image the heat, wind blown sand, and the smells of battle. And in the end you feel the sorrow and grief as the hero is sustains a grave head injury by explosion which mortally wound his best friend whom he just rescued from his combat damaged "Honey".

It is a book that you can read once and come back and read it again in a few weeks or even years with the enjoyment. I still remember passages which always create mental images of what it was like in the vast openness of the great North African Desert. Captain Crisp shows the human side of war and well as the futility of death and destruction caused by war. Captain Crisp servived his injuries sustained in the desert and went on to fight in Northeast Europe after the Normandy landings.

I enjoyed this book as a former combat arms officer, history buff, and WWII wargamer. The book provides an engaging account of a British WWII veteran's experience in North Africa that spans the excitement, boredom, unpredictability, and horror of armored warfare. He speaks credibly and frankly by including descriptions of his successes as well as his failures.

Captain Crisp recalls his experiences fighting Rommel's forces in the desert with vivid detail. His account brings to light the everyday fighting man's lack of direction from top staff and the confusion of desert warfare. An excellent acount of a pivotal point in the history of WWII.