Customer Reviews

Panzers at War (The At War Series)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a superbly illustrated new book featuring the main variants of the panzer series from the Pzkpfw I to the two Pzkpfw VI's. While space precluded a long discussion of each type, this book has a fine mix of technical details, training manual notes, and post action battle reports. The book includes a marvelous mix of World War two and modern photographs. The latter show both museum pieces as well as some privately owned vehicles that have been or are being restored. The photo print quality is very good. Many are in color and illustrate authentic camouflage patterns. Detail photos of the interiors are very instructive. This is a well balanced book suitable for both novices and as light reading for panzer aficionados.

The Greens have produced a valuable reference source for German tanks of the Second World War. Not only does the book provide detailed line drawings noting differences in models, but carefully selected photos (both modern color as well as vintage combat black and white) providing the reader with every view of each tank. Beyond that, the authors have given a history to each tank's development through engineering, political and battlefield influences, telling the story of how a very powerful tank (like the Tiger) had its drawbacks and liabilities, not usually explained in other tank manuals or reference books. If you really want to understand tank development as well as technical details of the German tanks of World War II, get this book. As a paperback, it is well constructed, heavy paper, and well worth the price.

This is the third book in the series by Michael Green, noted writer of things in armored plates. In many ways, this is a typical Michael (and Gladys)Green work. Technical enough for the treadhead crowd, but with loads of the "human element" to make it appealing for those of us who aren't engineers. The book covers all German tanks, but not assault guns (i.e. the hetzer). Like most of Michael's tank books, it delivers a good bit of history of the development of the armored vehicles of Germany between the wars. I especially enjoyed the feature on Light Tank tactics. There is an excellent extended interview with a German tank commander. A superb section on the Panther as a reaction to the T-34. All tanks have their own set of line drawings (which is great for modelers), and lots and lots and lots of terrific color photographs. And... Thank you Zenith Press for making a soft-bound binding that doesn't break the moment you pick it up. This book is a "keeper;" don't pass up the opportunity to add this to your shelf.

This is Green's second time out on German armor, his previous one being German Tanks of World War II (Enthusiast Color).

This time he focuses specifically on true German designed and manufactured tanks, i.e. Panzer I-VI, armored fighting vehicles with fully rotating turrets. All other types: Sturmgeschutz, panzerartillerie, jagdpanzers, panzerspahwagen, schutzenpanzerwagen, etc. are omitted. The author also chose to omit coverage of the Czech designed and manufactured Pz 35(t) and the Pz 38(t).

The pictures are the best part of the content however some of the paint schemes in the museum displays are rather questionable. The text is concise but readers with expert knowledge of German armor will notice some small inaccuracies, omissions, and differences in interpretation.

A useful picture book to add to your panzer library to supplement other better researched and more authoritative works. Again the photos are the most valuable part of the book. Still worthwhile. It accomplishes a lot within the limitations of the "At War" format.

This is a really good book all armor enthusiasts. Both people who have been learning about tanks for a while and the beginners will find interesting information in this book. The entire development of German armor is traced from the early projects that were done in secret under the Weimar Republic through the early panzers designed after the Versailles treaty was abandoned by the Nazis to the wartime projects all of these are covered in this book. All of the panzers that were in production before and during WWII are covered. The book is really good in the sense that it explains the reasoning behind the progression of the panzer variants. Everything is explained in the clear language that is easy to understand, but at the same time it is very informative. Serious researchers would also appreciate the interviews with Garman tankers as well as inclusion of the allied reports that show how much allies knew about the German armor in during the war.

For each type of tank the book includes the detailed description of the reasoning why it was built and the decisions that made it what it is. The mechanical systems, drive train, armament and armor are explained in great details. Crew positions and their duties are also described in both words and photos. The subsequent modification and production models are described. Combat experience of the tanks is also shown.

Model builders will be interested in this book as it provides a great reference for building models. The book includes scale drawings for a lot of the tanks discussed in the book; it also provides both interior and exterior shots of the tanks. Large number of tank photos from various armor museums as well as private collections around the world are included in the book. In that sense the book provides a useful review of the state of the surviving German armor. In addition to the modern photos the archival photos have also been included in the book.

Overall I highly recommend the book to both modelers and armor historians who would like to have a handy reference for all of the German panzers of WWII.

Not exactly a definitive treatment of the subject but certainly worth a look. Germany revolutionized warfare with their Panzer Divisions in WW2 and this book provides many fine photographs, technical details and tactical insights. A well done effort.