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 during the Great War, but lost their lead by the Second World War. THIS SECOND VOLUME asks whether Western states caught up during that war - or even during the first decade of the Cold War. You can read what the developers and users said, the technical reports from the fronts, the political inquiries, the spin and propaganda, the promises, and the betrayals. THIS BOOK adds another 200 photographs and 17 graphs and tables, based on a dataset with more than 500 tank types, across 9 countries - from Canada to Japan, from 1916 to 1955, from gun capacity to ground pressure. THE RISE AND FALL OF WESTERN TANKS tells the full story of ""The Great Tank Scandal,"" and its cover-up, for the first time.

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9781951171087

Table of Contents

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 University

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 In this concise book/booklet (137 pages) the author turns to some real number-crunching to try and separate myth from fact...In short the book is well informed. - The Army Rumour Service (ARRSE)

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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