Against the Panzers: United States Infantry Versus German Tanks, 1944-1945: A History of Eight Battles Told Through Diaries, Unit Histories

Against the Panzers is a superb book. It gives wonderfully detailed accounts of American infantry units (sometimes with tank destroyer support) in the Northwest Europe theatre facing down the formidable panzer units of the Wehrmacht, usually with vastly inferior anti-tank weapons such as the 57 mm AT gun. That they often (but not always)emerged victorious from these engagements (Mortain, Twin Villages of Krinkelt/Rocharath in the Ardennes and Elsenborn Ridge,) is a testament to their courage and determination in the face of horrendous odds. A great read for military history buffs.

This is not a book for the person looking for an easy reading, entertaining tale of US companies in action against German armor units. Rather, a number of various actions are analyzed in exhaustive detail. The maps can be very helpful at times (in one case tracing the path of a Bazooka-armed GI stalking a panzer) and not so useful in other cases. However, many maps are provided unlike other books of this type. I'd say that the target audience for this book is the serious military reader who wants more detail than the casual war story reader. Engineers, artillery, and anti-tank gun activities get covered pretty well.