Overview

THE RISE AND FALL OF WESTERN TANKS tells the story of how the wealthiest, most industrialized, and most democratic states led the world in tanks from the Great War through the 1920s, but lost their lead in the 1930s. The Soviet Union and Germany (incorporating Czechoslovakia) built the largest tank forces, reverse-engineered Western tanks, and innovated for themselves. AS THIS BOOK SHOWS, Western soldiers and officials complained at the time, while propagandists pretended otherwise. Western governments deferred official inquiry until peacetime, then they forgot their promises. Politicians spun the story to avoid blame or monopolize credit. Official historians ignored the record. Private historians nationalistically and lazily followed suit. IN THIS BOOK, you can read what the developers and users said at the time, illustrated with more than 200 photographs and 14 graphs and tables, based on a dataset with more than 500 tank types, across 9 countries - from gun size to cost, from Canada to Japan, from the First World War to the Second. THE RISE AND FALL OF WESTERN TANKS combines history and science to resolve a controversy that has endured for almost a century.

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9781951171056

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Reviews

excellent...much more of a joined up tale than I have been used to...your approach is a lot cleverer in that respect. - David Fletcher, Historian, The Tank Museum This fascinating and authoritative book is required reading for anyone interested in the historical development of the tank. Bruce Newsome's forensic analysis shows how the victors of the First World War (Britain, France and the USA) achieved a significant technical lead in tank design by 1920, only to lose it to Germany and Russia in the 1930s. His narrative, which is a study of innovation, draws an inevitable conclusion, that the failure to maintain a competitive edge placed the allied powers at a significant disadvantage at the beginning of the Second World War. This was something that was only properly rectified after victory had been won. While this book has an immense historical value, it is also a timely reminder that, today, Western tank designs are again falling behind those of potential adversaries, as Russia and China ramp-up their military spending. The author writes with uncommon clarity and purpose. This makes his insights accessible as well as readily understandable. Ultimately, this is a book that will appeal to both the professional and the enthusiast. - Nicholas Drummond, UK Land Power very detailed research...The book underscored how easily a technological edge can be lost due to a myriad of reasons, but when combined, and when there is a crisis, can prove very costly in terms of lives lost within the battlespace to overcome. - Sean Rooney, United States Marine Corps

excellent...much more of a joined up tale than I have been used to...your approach is a lot cleverer in that respect. - David Fletcher, Historian, The Tank Museum This fascinating and authoritative book is required reading for anyone interested in the historical development of the tank. Bruce Newsome's forensic analysis shows how the victors of the First World War (Britain, France and the USA) achieved a significant technical lead in tank design by 1920, only to lose it to Germany and Russia in the 1930s. His narrative, which is a study of innovation, draws an inevitable conclusion, that the failure to maintain a competitive edge placed the allied powers at a significant disadvantage at the beginning of the Second World War. This was something that was only properly rectified after victory had been won. While this book has an immense historical value, it is also a timely reminder that, today, Western tank designs are again falling behind those of potential adversaries, as Russia and China ramp-up their military spending. The author writes with uncommon clarity and purpose. This makes his insights accessible as well as readily understandable. Ultimately, this is a book that will appeal to both the professional and the enthusiast. - Nicholas Drummond, UK Land Power very detailed research...The book underscored how easily a technological edge can be lost due to a myriad of reasons, but when combined, and when there is a crisis, can prove very costly in terms of lives lost within the battlespace to overcome. - Sean Rooney, United States Marine Corps University This is a book aimed at serious students of armoured warfare...well supported with illustrations. - The Army Rumour Service (ARRSE)

excellent...much more of a joined up tale than I have been used to...your approach is a lot cleverer in that respect - David Fletcher, Historian, The Tank Museum This fascinating and authoritative book is required reading for anyone interested in the historical development of the tank. Bruce Newsome's forensic analysis shows how the victors of the First World War (Britain, France and the USA) achieved a significant technical lead in tank design by 1920, only to lose it to Germany and Russia in the 1930s. His narrative, which is a study of innovation, draws an inevitable conclusion, that the failure to maintain a competitive edge placed the allied powers at a significant disadvantage at the beginning of the Second World War. This was something that was only properly rectified after victory had been won. While this book has an immense historical value, it is also a timely reminder that, today, Western tank designs are again falling behind those of potential adversaries, as Russia and China ramp-up their military spending. The author writes with uncommon clarity and purpose. This makes his insights accessible as well as readily understandable. Ultimately, this is a book that will appeal to both the professional and the enthusiast. - Nicholas Drummond, UK Land Power

Author Information

BRUCE OLIVER NEWSOME Ph.D. served in the British and US Army reserves, latterly on M1 Abrams tanks. As a research scientist, he worked to improve Army acquisitions. As a lecturer, he teaches on all things defense and security. He is the author of 25 books. He holds a doctorate in International & Strategic Studies and certificates in AFV design and automotive technology.

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