Customer Reviews

Sherman: A History of the American Medium Tank

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Even though this work dates back to 1978, it can still be regarded as the ultimate book on the M4 Sherman. It describes the pre-war development of the American medium tanks, then covers the development and production of the M3 Lee/Grant including all marks and variants. The M4 development and production is covered in detail with all marks and variants, upgrades and modifications. British service and modification are also covered. Postwar employment and conversions are included, even though Israeli and other post war conversions are not covered in detail.
There are extremely detailed specifications of the M3 and M4, all marks and many of the variants like the M7 and M10. You will also find the specs on most weapons employed on the M3, M4 and variants.

If you are interrested in the technical development and production of the M3 and M4 tanks, this book is a must. Well written with 100s of b/w illustrations it is, despite the price, great value.

The Sherman tank is without question, the most famous armored fighting vehicle in the history of modern warfare. The book "Sherman: A History of the American Medium Tank", by R.P Hunnicutt, is an masterful reference text second to none. Although, this book is long out of print, it is without question the bible, to sherman tank historians. No book ever published on this tank can match the endless array of photo's and text detailing every variation of this tank. You get to see the tank from it's early design as a platform to the M3 Grant/Lee during the early stages of WW-2. The Sherman was used for every job imaginable. Soldiers would adapt their tank as needed for whatever condition awaited them. You see Sherman tanks, used as mine sweepers, marine assault float tanks, flame throwers, bulldozers, open turreted M10 tank destroyers, a british heavy hitting firefly variation, just to name a few. The tank had unmatched longevity, serving in the Korean conflict and in the Israeli army as late as the early 1970's. If you are a military historian or a student of armored warfare, I cannot recommend a better book that chronicles an American tank in such A to Z detail. The Sherman tank was not the most feared tank in the theater of WW-2 operations, but it's overwhelming production numbers and mechanical reliability and adaptability, surely helped the allies win the war.

This book is the Sherman Bible, but you should not spend more than $130 for this title. This book is in the process of being republished by RZM and it will have a list price of $130(US).

. 2006 hard bound in dust jacket, , r/p of the 1994 edition, . in a slip case, , 8 3/4 x 11 1/4 , glossy paper , 576 pp , 1368 illus & drgs. , 12 color plates, appendices , index.

.....This exclusive high-quality print run is limited to only 1,000 copies in a collector's slip case. Finally back in print, R.P. Hunnicutt's "bible" on the M4 Sherman Tank begins with the pre-war evolution of the U.S. medium tank resulting in the introduction of the M3 and its Canadian counterpart the "RAM." The confusion after Pearl Harbor and the pressure for ever increasing production provide the background for the appearance of the Sherman in Part II. The war situation in early 1942 required large numbers of tanks to equip both the U.S. armored units in training and the Allied Armies already fighting around the world. This resulted in the major models of the Sherman with designations ranging from M4 to M4A6.

Part II ends with the Sherman committed to action first at El Alamein and then in theaters of operation around the world. Battle experience soon indicated the need for further improvements. Part III details the development projects necessary to effect these changes and their incorporation into the production program. The important British modifications including the installation of the 17 pounder high velocity gun are also included. The ready availability of the Sherman chassis made it the ideal candidate to carry various self-propelled artillery weapons and antitank guns. These vehicles as well as other specialized armor are discussed in part IV.

..After WWII, the Sherman continued to serve not only the U.S. Army, but was used to rearm many friendly nations whose armed forces were destroyed during the war. With the outbreak of fighting in Korea, the Sherman again went into action as is covered in Part V. Part VI is composed of reference material presented in data sheets covering the major production models of the M3 and M4 series.

The ultimate book on the Sherman tank. If you want to know anything about this metal monster, this is the book to get. I was fortunate to get a new and not abused copy from a great seller.

It's hard to imagine there could ever be a better book about the Sherman than this. R.P. Hunnicutt has written 10 books on US Armor that covers every major ground weapon system ever designed by the Army - this is perhaps the best of the best.

Hunnicutt goes back to WW1 tracing the search for a medium tank. The inter war years are covered very well, the reader sees the early models such as the M-2, M-3 and designs leading up to the Sherman. One of the amazing things about the Sherman is how quickly it went from design to production, with few of the teething problems that typically plague new tanks. From the start, it was designed to be "an exploitation tank". As the author notes, it did that very well. As early as 1942, it was recognized it needed a better cannon and more armor.

The issue of firepower and protection mean heavier tanks, disruption of assembly lines and fewer tanks shipped overseas. The debate was never ended to anyone's satisfaction. And the book does an excellent job covering all of the attempts to improve both. The lack of a good solution meant that the price was paid for by the tank crews in battle.

The advantage of such huge numbers of Shermans meant an endless supply of tank chassis available for literally hundreds of variants - tank destroyers, mobile artillery, recovery, engineering to name but a few are reviewed in part IV. The Sherman saw action on every front of WW2, in Korea, and as late as 1967 with the Israeli's. Hunnicutt sums up the decisions made regarding the Sherman very concisely in his conclusion on page 512.

The book is rich with illustrations, line drawings, facts, photographs of the inside, every aspect of the vehicle and weapon statistics on every version built. 576 pages detail out everything you'd want to know about the history of the Sherman tank. An absolute classic, must have book for any serious armor buff. Certainly the most comprehensive studies ever done on a tank, highly recommended.