Panzer Leader

Media:	Paperback
Author:	B. H. Liddell Hart, Heinz Guderian, Kenneth MacKsey, Constatine Fitzgibbon, General Heinz Guderian
Publisher:	Da Capo Press
Release date:	24 December, 2001
List price:	~~$18.95~~
Our price:	$12.89 that is 32% off!

Panzer Leader

Average rating:

Achtung Tank Lovers!!!

For anyone who is intersted in armored warfare this is a must read, because Guderian is without a doubt a pioneer of 20th century armor tactics and the father of Germany's Panzer Forces. It was him and military thinkers like him that brought about the concept of mass armored formation as a separate military arm in oppose the spreading out tanks all over as infantry support. The book describes the development of the German Panzer Forces from infancy to full develoment as well its implementation during the WWII. The book is treasure of technical information from the most well knowned to the most obsecure tanks developed in Germany, analyzing both weakness' and strengths of different models. Guderian also gives a very detailed story of the German offensive in Russia of 1941 (until he was dismissed) and he picks up the story in 1943 after his reinstatement to active military duty and describes the events up to very end of the war. Even though the General was man integrity his view of the of the war (recorded at the end) is described from the German point of view and can't help to be a bit biased. Guderain's absolute defence of the honor of the German army leaves the reader a bit skeptical in view of what we know about German atrocities on the eastern front. However none of these faults (that's why i gave it 4 stars) takes away from the richness of information this text provides on development and implementation of massed armor forces for first time in history of warfare. If you are interested in the history of the German-Soviet conflict I would look for a more balanced source eleswhere and leave this book for the armor enthusiest or a reader of military biographies.

Panzer Leader -

Required reading for any combat officer, and war historian..

Apart from von Manstein, Guderian is arguably to most able and important of the German commanders. He has also shown himself to be a great author and his book contains great insight into why the Germans lost the war, or at least why they lost it so fast, after their strong initial success. He also does a great study of Hitler and other members of the Nasi leadership towards the end of the book which could have only been given by one like Guderian who was there with the various individuals.

The most interesting part of this book is his accounts of the various times that he and Hitler fought over matters of strategic and even tactical issues. He made it very clear that Hitler was very buried into the workings of even the divisional level of the war, which no doubt drove his commanders crazy, and lead to many of them resigning or being dismissed..

Again, the book as a great read, as well written as any other, but not quite as focused on the military formations and maneuvers the way von Manstein's book was. I highly recommend it.

- Panzer Leader

Excellent book from Panzer commander & Hitler advisor.

Guderian was a German Panzer expert, & wrote a book in 1938 about Panzer tactics theories ("Achtung Panzer!)". This book is his 2nd & is his life story. He was both a field commander (a Panzer Division, a Panzer Corps, & then a Panzer Army) from 1939-1943, in Poland-France-Russia. Fired in Dec 1943 by Hitler, he was later (1944) re-hired to be one of Hitler's constant advisors until the last days of the war. Many referrences on battles. He comments about German tactics & military objectives which contributed to Germany's defeat. Unfortunately, the book lacks sufficient geographic battle maps. Despite this, I still VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THIS BOOK by a man who was BOTH a Field Commander & a General Staff Officer who advised Hitler, reviewing both Western, Eastern, & Italian Front operations.

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