Tanks for the Memories: Expanded Second Edition

"Tanks for the Memories" tells the stories, in their own words, of the veterans of one of America's most distinguished "small" units in World War II, the 712th Tank Battalion. From their beginnings in the throes of the Great Depression, to their days in the horse cavalry, to their training as tankers, to 11 months on the front lines in Europe, their stories are not only powerful reading, but show how ordinary men performed extraordinary feats of courage and heroism under the deadliest of conditions.
From the Publisher
The original "Tanks for the Memories" was published in 1994. It was a learning experience in that it was a debut work for both the author and the publisher. The production left a great deal to be desired. Perhaps the oddest thing about the book was that it had legs. People were always contacting us saying that their copy had walked on over to a friend's house and the friend gave it to somebody else to read, and now they need another copy. Because so many of those copies just walked away, the first edition has sold out. Because the author continued to record the oral histories of battalion members after the book came out, he chose to write an expanded edition, incorporating all of the original material. The result is a book that is twice as long, twice as good, and only a little more expensive.
From the Author
My father served with the 712th Tank Battalion in World War II. When I first attended one of their reunions, in 1987, I found myself riveted as I would listen in on story after story, many of which which I soon realized these veterans didn't share with their children, and even their wives. I thought these stories would make a great book. At the time, I didn't know that I would write that book. But I think you'll find "Tanks for the Memories" to be in the greatest tradition of authors such as Studs Terkel and Stephen Ambrose.