What have you read ?

I read a great book called Panzer Aces. I bought it for about 8 bucks at books a million. It focuses on a number of specific tank aces and their battles and careers. It is a very vivid read and fun. I read another one... Steel Inferno... It was very difficult to read, thus I didn't get to much out of it. But look for Panzer Aces if you haven't already got it.
PS its a paperback...

QUOTE: Originally posted by VAPGULFVET I enjoy reading about WW II and was wondering what's a good book to read on German tank battles of WW II ?? Thanks

Mellenthin's book Panzer Battles is good if you want to look at the panzers at war from a wonkish perspective, but it's not a "I hung from the gun barrel screming obscenties at the Bolsheviks" kind of book. It's analytical and a little dry, but very thorough and descriptive.

Also try Armour Battles of the Waffen SS, 1943-45, from the Stackpole series.

I have the old Ballentine book on Kursk. A very informative read.

I started reading Tigers in the Mud. I also picked up the Battles of the Waffen SS. Might try to read that one next.

I dunno why but I have a hard time reading books..... maybe because it takes time to read thru an entire one. But I'll tear thru magazines in no time at all

want to read a really good book theres two. go to the primary source. I read General Hans Guederians (spelling) Panzer Leader i think thats the title, and Erwin Rommels book. Go to Barnes and Noble if theres one near you and you can read it. There excellent books by the men that made the tactics.

"The Tigers are Burning" about the Battle of Kursk by Martin Caiden. A good read on the battle, plus if I recall he goes into a good bit of detail into the strengths and many weaknesses of the 1st generation Panthers and the Ferdinands. Its a good read with a lot of info.

Doug

VAPGULFVET try:

'Citadel: The Battle of Kursk' by Robin Cross. Excellent read covering most aspects of that battle.

John Keegan: 'Six armies in Normandy' (very neutral account of the normandy campaign.)

If you want a broader range than tank battles try:
'Enigma: The Battle for the Code' by Hugh Sebag-Montefiore (not technical about how Enigma works or how the code was cracked, but the story built from the accounts from seamen, cryptologists, spys.....even from the Germans)

'The White Rabbit' by Bruce Marshall. About a British SOE operative in France. A bit dated in some respects, but still an excellent and absorbing book.

or you can go for something lighter like 'Adolf Hitler: My part in his downfall' by Spike Milligan.

I read "The Tigers are Burning" as well. Excellent book! I totally agree with what Jammer said.

New here,but thought I might throw my two cents worth in.

I read Martin Caidin's book "The Tigers Are Burning" when it was first published ,quite a few years ago now. At the time,it seemed a worthwhile book on the Battle of Kursk. However, in the intervening years,there have been several new literary efforts on the subject that have eclipsed it. The Zetterling and Glantz books are both far superior in depth and accuracy. The Caidin book is an interesting read,but shouldn't be considered as any more than an introductory type of book.

The books "Panzer Battles" and "Panzer Leader" by von Mellinthin and Guderian,respectively,are excellent accounts written by those who developed and practiced armored warfare,German -style.

Other interesting reads are "Death Traps" by Belton Cooper and "Steel Victory" by Harry yeide. The chronicle the challenges faced by US tankers in WWII facing German armor. Many interesting bits of information about both Allied and German armor.