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yeah_i_guess_i_read's review against another edition
5.0
This book will forever be dear to my heart. Both my great-grandpa’s served in WWII and one of the served in a tank. This book was so well written and I really enjoyed it. I will definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to read about tanks in WWII.
samizimecki's review against another edition
4.0
Narrative non-fiction following US tankers during WWII BUT also has insights from a German tanker as well as a few other people. I read a lot of this type of genre, but I feel like there is always something knew to learn.
What I loved so much about Spearhead was that there was a lot of pictures to go with everyone, so while I do wish there was a sort of character chart in the beginning of the book so you can reference who was part of what besides just the obvious Axis vs Allis. Also the book didn't just end with the guys making it home. While there is a recap of how a few of the guys lived out the rest of their lives, we learn that Clarence and Gustav, the two main tankers from opposite sides, actually met up in person.
Makos has a ton of bonus information on his website with more videos, photos and interviews on all of his books, and it's worth the visit. 4 stars and I'll definitely be checking out his other books.
What I loved so much about Spearhead was that there was a lot of pictures to go with everyone, so while I do wish there was a sort of character chart in the beginning of the book so you can reference who was part of what besides just the obvious Axis vs Allis. Also the book didn't just end with the guys making it home. While there is a recap of how a few of the guys lived out the rest of their lives, we learn that Clarence and Gustav, the two main tankers from opposite sides, actually met up in person.
Makos has a ton of bonus information on his website with more videos, photos and interviews on all of his books, and it's worth the visit. 4 stars and I'll definitely be checking out his other books.
bradley_jf's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this, especially how the author incorporated the perspectives of soldiers on both sides of the war.
richardrbecker's review against another edition
5.0
Spearhead is a compelling book that sheds light on the courage, sacrifice, and humanity of American and German tank soldiers during World War II. Told as an inspiring truth-life adventure, author Adam Makos paints portraits of the men forced to face each other in the liberation of Europe and into Germany.
The book begins in occupied Belgium, 1944, as Corporal Clarence Smoyer — a 21-year-old from Penn. — shuttling a 75mm shell to the loader. The tension is set from the onset. The M4A1 Sherman tanks were no match for their counterparts, requiring American tank crews to capitalize on luck as much as their tenacity. For what they lacked in force, the U.S. tried to make up for in volume. More than 49,234 Sherman tanks between 1942 and 1945.
Knowing this adds angst to the story as a Panzer Mark 4 unknowingly parks behind a wedge of Shermans in the black of night. Clarence knows that any sound from his crew or the crew of any other tank would likely cost them their lives. At first light, someone would die.
For the next two years, Makos takes readers on a journey with this tank crew and other members of the 3rd Armored Division across Europe and into Germany. From time to time, he follows a young German tank soldier, dispelling the myth that they were mindless adversaries. Much like the Americans, they too knew the war was over and couldn't fathom why they were pressed to fight on, especially as their countrymen began to despise them for dragging out the war.
In doing so, Makos puts a human face on the war's triumphs and tragedies, making the journey as unforgettable as the lingering impact it would have on the men who served. For anyone interested in an up-close and personal look at history as it was lived, this book is it.
The book begins in occupied Belgium, 1944, as Corporal Clarence Smoyer — a 21-year-old from Penn. — shuttling a 75mm shell to the loader. The tension is set from the onset. The M4A1 Sherman tanks were no match for their counterparts, requiring American tank crews to capitalize on luck as much as their tenacity. For what they lacked in force, the U.S. tried to make up for in volume. More than 49,234 Sherman tanks between 1942 and 1945.
Knowing this adds angst to the story as a Panzer Mark 4 unknowingly parks behind a wedge of Shermans in the black of night. Clarence knows that any sound from his crew or the crew of any other tank would likely cost them their lives. At first light, someone would die.
For the next two years, Makos takes readers on a journey with this tank crew and other members of the 3rd Armored Division across Europe and into Germany. From time to time, he follows a young German tank soldier, dispelling the myth that they were mindless adversaries. Much like the Americans, they too knew the war was over and couldn't fathom why they were pressed to fight on, especially as their countrymen began to despise them for dragging out the war.
In doing so, Makos puts a human face on the war's triumphs and tragedies, making the journey as unforgettable as the lingering impact it would have on the men who served. For anyone interested in an up-close and personal look at history as it was lived, this book is it.
segun_09's review against another edition
5.0
Adam Makos delivers yet again! This was a thrill to read
fredosbrother's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.75
rbkegley's review
5.0
In this wholly captivating page-turner of a World War II book, Makos focuses on Clarence Smoyers, a tank gunner with the US 3rd Armored Division, known as the "Spearhead" for their frequent role in leading the attacks against entrenched German forces. From a role as a loader in his tank crew, he slid into the gunner's seat with no formal training, and developed an instinctive knowledge of the right thing to do in combat against other armored vehicles. Often, war chronicles can present so much detail about force movements and goals that they become tiresome, but Makos strikes a perfect balance, giving enough information about the order of battle to form a foundation for the events to follow while maintaining focus on the individual soldiers' perspectives. The ending, decades after the conclusion of the war, is both unexpected and richly satisfying.
afrugalfather's review
4.0
This really was like band of brothers with tanks. Interesting read and really does take into account the moral decisions made during war and the difficulties of veterans dealing with the aftermath.
dawnh's review
5.0
This book reads almost like a novel. I really enjoyed how the author weaved all the mens stories together. I also really appreciated the battle descripstions and diagrams. They were easy to follow and understand. As silly as it sounds, I also really liked how the pictures of the men were interspersed throughout on the pages where he was talking about those particular men. It was nice to put a face to the story and not have to keep flipping to the middle where all the pics are.
michaelkerr's review
4.0
Clarence Smoyer is a gifted American tank gunner, fighting his way across Fortress Europe as Allied Forces push the Nazis back into Germany and to ultimate defeat. His Sherman tank at first seems to be unbeatable, but then they encounter a Panzer. Gustav is the son of a German farmer who has been swept up into the German tank Fire Brigade--so called because they rush back and forth to fill weak areas as the Allies attack. This book is the story of tank battles and terror, and of how these two men's lives intersect. The ending is an unexpected reminder of the deep scars carried by those who were there.