Subtitled "The Sherman Design and development" and a long time coming, Pat Stansell has given us the modeler''s reference book on the M4 tank. Exhaustive, interesting, and comprehensive almost to a fault this is a fascinating book.
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REVIEW
Son of Sherman, Vol. 1
CMOT
Editor-in-Chief
Joined: May 14, 2006
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Posted: Tuesday, July 23, 2013 - 07:51 AM UTC
rfbaer
Joined: June 12, 2007
KitMaker: 1,866 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, July 23, 2013 - 08:06 AM UTC
I must NOT buy this book, or I will never again actually finish a Sherman model.
One can only wonder what Vol.2 will be.
One can only wonder what Vol.2 will be.
berwickj
Joined: April 16, 2007
KitMaker: 352 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, July 23, 2013 - 08:48 AM UTC
From Ampersand's website:
"SON OF SHERMAN VOLUME 2: The Sherman Modeler’s Guide
A complete and illustrated description of modeling the Second World War U.S. M4 Sherman tank
Fully illustrated with over 900 color photos to create the most thorough coverage of 18 highly detailed 1/35th scale kits. All based of the extensive research of Volume 1."
"SON OF SHERMAN VOLUME 2: The Sherman Modeler’s Guide
A complete and illustrated description of modeling the Second World War U.S. M4 Sherman tank
Fully illustrated with over 900 color photos to create the most thorough coverage of 18 highly detailed 1/35th scale kits. All based of the extensive research of Volume 1."
Thundergrunt
Joined: November 01, 2009
KitMaker: 657 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, July 23, 2013 - 09:26 AM UTC
Hey darren
As a new armor builder and sherman enthusiast, does this cover the commonwealth versions, in text as well as pictures.
Probably a rookie ?, but just asking.
EUgene
As a new armor builder and sherman enthusiast, does this cover the commonwealth versions, in text as well as pictures.
Probably a rookie ?, but just asking.
EUgene
KurtLaughlin
Joined: January 18, 2003
KitMaker: 2,402 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, July 23, 2013 - 11:27 AM UTC
Quoted Text
As a new armor builder and sherman enthusiast, does this cover the commonwealth versions, in text as well as pictures.
No, not in any way.
KL
(Co-author of above book)
Braille
#135
Joined: August 05, 2007
KitMaker: 1,501 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, July 23, 2013 - 04:22 PM UTC
Excellent review Matt,
I had pre-ordered a soft cover copy of this book, thinking I’d save a few bucks, and when this nearly 400 page behemoth arrived I was completely disappointed in myself for not having spent the extra change and gotten the hard cover edition.
The sheer size of this volume, paper quality, diagrams, picture clarity and well written text and photo captions deserves a spot on any Sherman enthusiasts’ personal reference library.
I have yet to build a standard production Sherman tank but when I do this volume will reside on the workbench.
Even if I don’t capture every detail this volume will at least guide me in the right direction and should I wish to invest the added time to get my build as accurate as I wish I won’t have to look through other sources, it’s all right there in one place, an almost one size fits all Sherman book.
Well worth the 200 years I waited for this work, good things do take time!
~ Eddy
I had pre-ordered a soft cover copy of this book, thinking I’d save a few bucks, and when this nearly 400 page behemoth arrived I was completely disappointed in myself for not having spent the extra change and gotten the hard cover edition.
The sheer size of this volume, paper quality, diagrams, picture clarity and well written text and photo captions deserves a spot on any Sherman enthusiasts’ personal reference library. I have yet to build a standard production Sherman tank but when I do this volume will reside on the workbench.
Even if I don’t capture every detail this volume will at least guide me in the right direction and should I wish to invest the added time to get my build as accurate as I wish I won’t have to look through other sources, it’s all right there in one place, an almost one size fits all Sherman book.Well worth the 200 years I waited for this work, good things do take time!
~ Eddy
ALBOWIE
Joined: February 28, 2006
KitMaker: 1,605 posts
Armorama: 1,565 posts
Posted: Tuesday, July 23, 2013 - 08:35 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Hey darren
As a new armor builder and sherman enthusiast, does this cover the commonwealth versions, in text as well as pictures.
Probably a rookie ?, but just asking.
EUgene
Euene, as Kurt indicates it doesn't but this is an unmissible reference on Shermans regardless of users.
There are a few recommended titles for Pictures and research on Commonwealth Shermans
British Tanks in Normandy - H&C Ludovic Fortin
The Firefly - barbarossa books - Hayward
Images of War - The Sherman Tank (although a lot of the text and captions are rubbish -great photos though)
The various Armour Colour and Armor Photo gallery books are also excellent
Cheers
Al
SdAufKla
Joined: May 07, 2010
KitMaker: 2,238 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, July 24, 2013 - 01:29 AM UTC
I picked up my reserved copy at the AMPS International Show back in April, and on a couple of other modeling forums, I've gushed on and on about it.
I'll refrain from repeating myself too much here. However, I will say that this is a book that was written from the modeler's point of view, by other modelers who understand the kind of information we modelers want when it comes to making our builds more accurate.
"By modelers; For modelers."
In regards to Commonwealth Shermans, while this book doesn't cover them as such, you should keep in mind that all of those Commonwealth Sherman tanks rolled off production lines in the US, and this book will tell you what manufacturers' variations and details were present at the time of their production. If you don't know what the tank looked like before any Commonwealth-specific modifications were made, it's tough to get the final result correct. In that respect, this book does cover Commonwealth Shermans, since it covers ALL Shermans.
This is also the kind of book that a modeler can "grow into." Even if you're not afflicted with AMS (yet), if you're a fan of the Sherman, I think that if you have copy of this book, you'll start to "up your building game" the more you study it. With a copy of this book in hand, it won't be long before you'll start to change all of the little details on your builds that only a Shermanaholic can love.
I'll refrain from repeating myself too much here. However, I will say that this is a book that was written from the modeler's point of view, by other modelers who understand the kind of information we modelers want when it comes to making our builds more accurate.
"By modelers; For modelers."
In regards to Commonwealth Shermans, while this book doesn't cover them as such, you should keep in mind that all of those Commonwealth Sherman tanks rolled off production lines in the US, and this book will tell you what manufacturers' variations and details were present at the time of their production. If you don't know what the tank looked like before any Commonwealth-specific modifications were made, it's tough to get the final result correct. In that respect, this book does cover Commonwealth Shermans, since it covers ALL Shermans.
This is also the kind of book that a modeler can "grow into." Even if you're not afflicted with AMS (yet), if you're a fan of the Sherman, I think that if you have copy of this book, you'll start to "up your building game" the more you study it. With a copy of this book in hand, it won't be long before you'll start to change all of the little details on your builds that only a Shermanaholic can love.
M4A1Sherman
Joined: May 02, 2013
KitMaker: 4,403 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, July 24, 2013 - 03:12 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I must NOT buy this book, or I will never again actually finish a Sherman model.
One can only wonder what Vol.2 will be.
Hi, All! According to AMPERSAND, Vol.2 will cover MODELLING the US M4 Medium Tank. The photos will all be in color, covering I believe, 18 different US M4 models!!!
Vol.3 I believe, is supposed to cover the WWII ALLIED Shermans. (British, Commonwealth, Soviet) According to AMPERSAND, all books in this series of M4 Mediums will be made available in softcover and hardcover formats.
Jeff at AMPERSAND will be emailing me an ETA on Vol.2 as soon as it is available- THAT'S the book that I'm REEEAALLY waiting for!!!
I'll probably be buying a hardcover edition of Vol.1, and once Vol.2 comes out, I'll be buying one of those in hardcover as well. Vol.3 is still a ways off... 
Being an "incurable" SHERMAHOLIC, I have loads of books pertaining to my favorite WWII US/ALLIED tank in my book collection. Three more books in my extensive collection will be hardly noticeable numerically, but as to content, they will surely stand out!
ninjrk
Joined: January 26, 2006
KitMaker: 1,381 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, July 24, 2013 - 05:14 AM UTC
Is there a tentative ETA on when volume 2 will be available? i worry a little bit that after being so pleasantly surprised by the excellence of volume 1 my expectations for volume 2 have gone through the roof.
tankmodeler
#417
Joined: March 01, 2004
KitMaker: 3,123 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, July 24, 2013 - 05:44 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Is there a tentative ETA on when volume 2 will be available? i worry a little bit that after being so pleasantly surprised by the excellence of volume 1 my expectations for volume 2 have gone through the roof.
To prevent how some people get all wound up over delivery of a hobby book, I'd suggest we all put Vols 2 and 3 out of our conciousness completely until someone actually states that a) it can be pre-ordered (in which case pre-order it), b) announces that it can be paid for (in which case pay for it) and c) announces that it has been shipped (in which case patiently await its arrival).
I swear, the way some people get wound up, you'd think it was something vitally important like the birth of their child. It's a hobby book. On tanks, ferchrissakes!
:)
Paul
ninjrk
Joined: January 26, 2006
KitMaker: 1,381 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, July 24, 2013 - 08:41 AM UTC
I would buy that, except it is about the SHERMAN tank. Therefore, any published work on it is more important than the economy, war, or whether the aspartame in my Diet Coke is slowly killing me. . . the last is why i want the book sooner rather than later!
M4A1Sherman
Joined: May 02, 2013
KitMaker: 4,403 posts
Armorama: 4,078 posts
Posted: Wednesday, July 24, 2013 - 01:57 PM UTC
[quote]
To prevent how some people get all wound up over delivery of a hobby book, I'd suggest we all put Vols 2 and 3 out of our conciousness completely until someone actually states that a) it can be pre-ordered (in which case pre-order it), b) announces that it can be paid for (in which case pay for it) and c) announces that it has been shipped (in which case patiently await its arrival).
I swear, the way some people get wound up, you'd think it was something vitally important like the birth of their child. It's a hobby book. On tanks, ferchrissakes!
:)
Paul[/quote:
Hi, All! Paul does have a point- it did take a long time to get the first volume into print and finally, out there for us to buy. BUT- actually collating all the information correctly, and separating the trash from the truth is a long, drawn out process, especially in a work of this magnitude... The wealth of information regarding the US M4 Medium is an on-going process, much of which has only come to light in the last few years.
OK, so some of us are getting just a little bit overly enthusiastic... We should realize however, that the work involved in getting these books into print is an overwhelming effort. The first 2 books in this series are IN-DEPTH works about the US M4 Mediums and Vol.3 will continue in the same vein, covering the Lend-Lease British, Commonwealth, and Soviet Shermans.
There are a few books out there that cover the history and technical aspects of the US M4 Medium and Allied Shermans. Several other books cover building them. However, and this is the crux of the matter, none of these other fine books have ever covered this particular tank in a series of three volumes, in such depth, including a separate modelling book that directly corresponds in harmony with the rest of the series...
OK granted, this is not the discovery of "The Holy Grail". There are umpteen books out there that cover the histories, technical aspects, and the modelling of Tigers and other German Armored Vehicles. As regards to the M4 Medium, it's never been done on such a huge scale as this before. I see these books as the culmination of a lot of hard, and in some respects, tedious work on the part of Pat Stansel, who well deserves great credit for his efforts. (Applause) This series of books promises to be a new landmark in the historical, technical and modelling fields of the US M4 Medium series tank...
I'm sure that many modellers will be happy to buy these books, both for reference and for their reading pleasure. I count myself as one of them...
Quoted Text
Is there a tentative ETA on when volume 2 will be available? i worry a little bit that after being so pleasantly surprised by the excellence of volume 1 my expectations for volume 2 have gone through the roof.
To prevent how some people get all wound up over delivery of a hobby book, I'd suggest we all put Vols 2 and 3 out of our conciousness completely until someone actually states that a) it can be pre-ordered (in which case pre-order it), b) announces that it can be paid for (in which case pay for it) and c) announces that it has been shipped (in which case patiently await its arrival).
I swear, the way some people get wound up, you'd think it was something vitally important like the birth of their child. It's a hobby book. On tanks, ferchrissakes!
:)
Paul[/quote:
Hi, All! Paul does have a point- it did take a long time to get the first volume into print and finally, out there for us to buy. BUT- actually collating all the information correctly, and separating the trash from the truth is a long, drawn out process, especially in a work of this magnitude... The wealth of information regarding the US M4 Medium is an on-going process, much of which has only come to light in the last few years.
OK, so some of us are getting just a little bit overly enthusiastic... We should realize however, that the work involved in getting these books into print is an overwhelming effort. The first 2 books in this series are IN-DEPTH works about the US M4 Mediums and Vol.3 will continue in the same vein, covering the Lend-Lease British, Commonwealth, and Soviet Shermans.
There are a few books out there that cover the history and technical aspects of the US M4 Medium and Allied Shermans. Several other books cover building them. However, and this is the crux of the matter, none of these other fine books have ever covered this particular tank in a series of three volumes, in such depth, including a separate modelling book that directly corresponds in harmony with the rest of the series...
OK granted, this is not the discovery of "The Holy Grail". There are umpteen books out there that cover the histories, technical aspects, and the modelling of Tigers and other German Armored Vehicles. As regards to the M4 Medium, it's never been done on such a huge scale as this before. I see these books as the culmination of a lot of hard, and in some respects, tedious work on the part of Pat Stansel, who well deserves great credit for his efforts. (Applause)
This series of books promises to be a new landmark in the historical, technical and modelling fields of the US M4 Medium series tank...I'm sure that many modellers will be happy to buy these books, both for reference and for their reading pleasure. I count myself as one of them...
KurtLaughlin
Joined: January 18, 2003
KitMaker: 2,402 posts
Armorama: 2,377 posts
Posted: Wednesday, July 24, 2013 - 03:52 PM UTC
Quoted Text
. . . Vol.3 will continue in the same vein, covering the Lend-Lease British, Commonwealth, and Soviet Shermans.
I don't know where you are getting this Dennis. There has been no official statement beyond
SON OF SHERMAN VOLUME 3: Title TBA Second historical volume now in development!
I'd advise you and everyone else to avoid speculation and ignore anything outside of official announcements on the Ampersand website. You are just going to get yourselves spun up for no reason. More importantly, it's going to cause needless hassle for us when it is released as we'll be bombarded by people asking "Does this cover XYZ? I thought this was going to be on XYZ? When is the volume on XYZ coming out?"
KL
KurtLaughlin
Joined: January 18, 2003
KitMaker: 2,402 posts
Armorama: 2,377 posts
Posted: Wednesday, July 24, 2013 - 04:02 PM UTC
Quoted Text
To prevent how some people get all wound up over delivery of a hobby book, I'd suggest we all put Vols 2 and 3 out of our conciousness completely until someone actually states that a) it can be pre-ordered (in which case pre-order it), b) announces that it can be paid for (in which case pay for it) and c) announces that it has been shipped (in which case patiently await its arrival).
I swear, the way some people get wound up, you'd think it was something vitally important like the birth of their child. It's a hobby book. On tanks, ferchrissakes!
:)
Paul
Thank you Paul. Given the recent past, I would be surprised if (a) happens next time, rather things will go right to (b).
KL
KurtLaughlin
Joined: January 18, 2003
KitMaker: 2,402 posts
Armorama: 2,377 posts
Posted: Wednesday, July 24, 2013 - 04:04 PM UTC
Quoted Text
In regards to Commonwealth Shermans, . . . this book does cover Commonwealth Shermans, since it covers ALL Shermans.
Thanks Mike. I should've said something like that in my original reply.
KL
AlanL
Joined: August 12, 2005
KitMaker: 14,499 posts
Armorama: 11,675 posts
Posted: Wednesday, July 24, 2013 - 09:50 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Hey Darren
As a new armor builder and Sherman enthusiast, does this cover the commonwealth versions, in text as well as pictures.
Probably a rookie ?, but just asking.
Eugene
Hi Eugene,
If you are interested in British/Commonwealth Shermans and armour then I would suggest some of the fine books by Dennis Oliver.
Code Name Swallow ISBN 838945033X, The New Breed ISBN 978-09804631-0-1, Jungle Armour ISBN 978-0-9804631-2-5, British Sherman Tanks ISBN 926-361-131-5. Also see British Armour in Sicily and Italy and British Armour in NW Europe by the same author.
For individual vehicles and camouflage & markings then have a look at the Armour Colour Gallery and Armour Photogallery books from Model Centrum Progres.
Son of Sherman focuses on the design and development of the US M4 Sherman. It's a very cost effective book for the technical details of the various US Sherman types and combination of parts/styles that can bee seen on tanks both US and Commonwealth. Therefore if you want to know about glais types, what factories made what style of tank, turret types, foundry marks etc, etc and all the other details that made up specific versions of the M4 series then this book provides all of that data and more. It does not cover the additional changes made to British and Commonwealth tanks, but the detail in depth of the basic Sherman types and parts that were common to both US and British/Commonwealth Shermans.
Hope that helps.
Al
M4A1Sherman
Joined: May 02, 2013
KitMaker: 4,403 posts
Armorama: 4,078 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 25, 2013 - 04:16 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted Text. . . Vol.3 will continue in the same vein, covering the Lend-Lease British, Commonwealth, and Soviet Shermans.
I don't know where you are getting this Dennis. There has been no official statement beyond
SON OF SHERMAN VOLUME 3: Title TBA Second historical volume now in development!
I'd advise you and everyone else to avoid speculation and ignore anything outside of official announcements on the Ampersand website. You are just going to get yourselves spun up for no reason. More importantly, it's going to cause needless hassle for us when it is released as we'll be bombarded by people asking "Does this cover XYZ? I thought this was going to be on XYZ? When is the volume on XYZ coming out?"
KL
My info came right from the initial announcements on the AMPERSAND website; I've exchanged a few emails with Jeff at AMPERSAND, since then. I have gotten no further info besides what Jeff has told me, so I'm not going to get into an argument with you guys over this. Rant and rave all you want...
vonHengest
Joined: June 29, 2010
KitMaker: 5,854 posts
Armorama: 4,817 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 25, 2013 - 04:35 AM UTC
I am only part way through reading this book, but I have found it to be quite excellent. It is very similar to vintage production and technical manuals for classic cars, but with significantly more depth into the production history. I am very happy with it so far, and personally I find myself applying it to rebuilding actual Shermans than building model kits, but that is partially due to my background. I just wish I could actually get my hands on a real one
rfbaer
Joined: June 12, 2007
KitMaker: 1,866 posts
Armorama: 1,696 posts
Posted: Tuesday, July 30, 2013 - 04:22 AM UTC
Well, I got a look at a copy, at my local hobby shop, and I have to have a copy, plain and simple. Now I just need to get it into the budget.....
KurtLaughlin
Joined: January 18, 2003
KitMaker: 2,402 posts
Armorama: 2,377 posts
Posted: Friday, August 02, 2013 - 03:23 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextQuoted Text. . . Vol.3 will continue in the same vein, covering the Lend-Lease British, Commonwealth, and Soviet Shermans.
I don't know where you are getting this Dennis. There has been no official statement beyond
SON OF SHERMAN VOLUME 3: Title TBA Second historical volume now in development!
I'd advise you and everyone else to avoid speculation and ignore anything outside of official announcements on the Ampersand website. You are just going to get yourselves spun up for no reason. More importantly, it's going to cause needless hassle for us when it is released as we'll be bombarded by people asking "Does this cover XYZ? I thought this was going to be on XYZ? When is the volume on XYZ coming out?"
KL
My info came right from the initial announcements on the AMPERSAND website; I've exchanged a few emails with Jeff at AMPERSAND, since then. I have gotten no further info besides what Jeff has told me, so I'm not going to get into an argument with you guys over this. Rant and rave all you want...
OK then . . . I have just talked to Pat and he has confirmed that the subject for Vol 3 has not been announced by Pat or Jeff beyond what was written above on the Ampersand website. There have been no announcements, emails, or discussions stating that Vol 3 will cover Russian, British, or Commonwealth tanks. To quote Pat:
"Any information to the contrary is internet hyperbole."
KL
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