This book is a new release made available via Zenith press earlier this year. The softcover book is a general overview of the M4 Sherman from development through it's use in Korea. The book is 128 pages, has 78 black-and-white photos, and 66 color photos. The list price for the book is around $20 in the USA, $25 in Canada, and 13£ in the UK. All very affordable prices for a specialized reference book.
For modelers there are a nice assortment of interior photos, WWII in-theatre photos and the like. The quality of the photos is very good. There are also some illustrations of several interior systems like the loaders area, as well as a cutaway drawing of the M4 itself.
The origins of the M4 area also covered via the development of the M3. At least 5 pages of information are dedicated to outlining that part of the M4's liniage.
The book is broken down into fairly simple sections:
1. Acknowledgments
2. Introduction
3. M4 Background
4. Description
5. Firepower and Armor Protection
6. Improvements
7. Index
conclusions
While not the Hunnicut M4 resource, this book packs a lot of information in terms of text into it. There is a lot of very specific detail on the operation of the vehicle, historical accounts by those who used the tank in WWII, and other pertinent facts. For the modeler this may be a good mid to entry level resource book for the M4 Sherman. You certainly can't go wrong for the price no matter how many books you may already have on the Sherman.
SUMMARY
Highs: Low cost reference book packed with lots of good details, photos, and factoids.Lows: 128 pages is still not enough to really cover such a huge subject in any great detail.Verdict: Recommended for all Sherman builders and those needing a good reference book on the M4.
Our Thanks to Zenith Press! This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.
About Jim Starkweather (staff_Jim) FROM: NEW HAMPSHIRE, UNITED STATES
I started building models in 1971 when I was 6. My first model was a 1/32 P-40 Warhawk. Revell I believe. From there I moved onto the standard cars, Apollo spacecraft, and other kid orientated kits. I don't know what got me started on Armor. I must have seen a Monogram tank kit one day and said "Mom...
Just picked this book up a week ago at the local Borders for $19.95. It's a good resource, reads easily, good pics, and lays out the chronological development of the M4 clearly. Well worth the price IMO.
Steve
Hi guys
This is the kind of thing our hobby needs alot more of. Its a good piece of reference for an affordable price tag. No it does not cover every nut and bolt on the tank. As hobbiest I don't think we need to know more about a vehicle than those that designed the thing. For $20, ya its worth a run to Borders. I'm not as Sherman crazy as some but who knows. I've had some Sherman dio idea bouncing around the back of my head, { God knows there's more than enough room in the back of my head } Ya The more I think about it, the more I want it.
Harry
I bought this book a few weeks ago from Amazon. Just finished reading it, and found it quite informative and interesting, at least for a non-Shermaholic like myself. Lots of good photos as well. I'm planning on doing a sherman build (one day) and this was my first reference book dedicated to a particular vehicle, so I can't really compare it to any others...
Jamie
The author, Michael Green, has a couple of more books in this "At War Series" due out soon including one on the M2/M3 Bradley and one on the Tiger.
Chris "toadman" Hughes
Toadman's Tank Pictures
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