Gareth Davies Posted 12 April , 2016 Share Posted 12 April , 2016 (edited) There is a good number of books on tanks in the offing from a number of publishers and I thought it might be useful to list those I know about in one place. Already Published The First Tank Crews by Stephen Pope (Helion) Due in 2016 The Tanks at Flers - An Account of the First Use of Tanks in War at the Battle of Flers-Courcellette, the Somme,15th September 1916 by Trevor Pidgeon (Helion) The Reconographers - Intelligence and Reconnaissance in British Tank Operations on the Western Front 1916-18 by Colin Hardy (Helion) Tanks in the Great War - Contemporary Combat Images by Bob Carruthers (Pen & Sword) British Armoured Car Operations in World War One by Bryan Perrett (Pen & Sword) French Tanks in the Great War by Tim Gale (Pen & Sword) Deborah and the War of the Tanks, 1917 by John Taylor (Pen & Sword) Due in 2017 Tanks in the Great War Volume 1 - 1916 by Stephen Pope (Helion) Tanks in the Great War Volume 2 - 1917 by Gareth Davies (Helion) Due in 2018 Tanks in the Great War Volume 3 - Cambrai by Tim Gale (Helion) Tanks in the Great War Vol 4 by Geoffrey Vesey Holt (Helion) Tanks in the Great War Vol 5 - The Hundred Days by Geoffrey Vesey Holt (Helion) There will be others I have missed so please add to this topic and I will update this list. Edited 6 May , 2017 by Gareth Davies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johntaylor Posted 12 April , 2016 Share Posted 12 April , 2016 Thanks for flagging some very interesting books in the offing Gareth. Perhaps I could mention my own book 'Deborah and the War of the Tanks, 1917', being published by Pen & Sword Military in September 2016. This tells the story of D51 Deborah, the tank excavated in Flesquieres by Philippe Gorczynski after being knocked out at the Battle of Cambrai in November 1917. The book tells the story of this tank, and the previous one with the number D51 which took part in the Battle of Passchendaele, and of their commanders and crew. It includes previously unpublished accounts and photographs, and by focusing on the role of a specific tank and crew it presents important new insights into the part played by tanks in these two pivotal battles. That's my plug over! I'm already enjoying Stephen Pope's excellent book, and looking forward to seeing the others on your list. All the best, John Taylor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Davies Posted 12 April , 2016 Author Share Posted 12 April , 2016 Of course, how wrong of me to not include your book on the list. Sorry! I will update the list. Following The Tanks by Philippe Gorczynski is being republished sometime soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johntaylor Posted 12 April , 2016 Share Posted 12 April , 2016 That's correct - I'll ask if he has a date yet. All the best, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidearm Posted 12 April , 2016 Share Posted 12 April , 2016 Hell, I'm going to be bankrupt... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ridgus Posted 12 April , 2016 Share Posted 12 April , 2016 Gareth Do you think there is any particular reason for this sudden surge in Tank books, beyond the ever present centenary? Or is it just a happy accident. Looking forward to Pidgeon's book. Helion really are on a publishing hot streak at the moment David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Davies Posted 12 April , 2016 Author Share Posted 12 April , 2016 A day without a tank is a day wasted David. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta Posted 12 April , 2016 Share Posted 12 April , 2016 Gareth Do you think there is any particular reason for this sudden surge in Tank books, beyond the ever present centenary? Or is it just a happy accident. Looking forward to Pidgeon's book. Helion really are on a publishing hot streak at the moment David Helion has been a brilliant firm with which to work - their whole team has been first class. The First Tank Crews is designed to raise public awareness of the forgotten tank pioneers of 1916; it is being published now because I could not complete it earlier......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ridgus Posted 12 April , 2016 Share Posted 12 April , 2016 Helion has been a brilliant firm with which to work - their whole team has been first class. The First Tank Crews is designed to raise public awareness of the forgotten tank pioneers of 1916; it is being published now because I could not complete it earlier......... So happy accident it is then! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johntaylor Posted 14 April , 2016 Share Posted 14 April , 2016 Hi, there does seem to be a bit of a surge, and I think the centenary is probably driving that. Regarding our book on Deborah, we began researching this nearly eight years ago following a visit to Flesquieres, and I started writing the book several years ago when I was still working full-time, so it's not exactly been quickfire. Having said that, the centenary of the Battle of Cambrai will be an important milestone for the Royal Tank Regiment, and next year should see the opening of a special museum with Deborah as the centrepiece, so this did give us a push to get things finished, and fortunately we've managed to come in a year early which is even better. As far as I'm concerned, you can't have too many tank books. Forget a surge, how about a tsunami? John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghazala Posted 14 April , 2016 Share Posted 14 April , 2016 Hoping to get to Stephen's lecture on Saturday.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta Posted 14 April , 2016 Share Posted 14 April , 2016 Hope to see you there; 30 people have pre-booked tickets so far Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gardenerbill Posted 22 May , 2016 Share Posted 22 May , 2016 Slightly off topic, I am planning a visit to France in August, is it possible to see Deborah? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta Posted 22 May , 2016 Share Posted 22 May , 2016 You will need to contact her owner, Philippe Gorzcynski through visite.org@tank-cambrai.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gardenerbill Posted 22 May , 2016 Share Posted 22 May , 2016 Thanks Delta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simond9x Posted 11 December , 2016 Share Posted 11 December , 2016 On 4/12/2016 at 09:44, johntaylor said: Thanks for flagging some very interesting books in the offing Gareth. Perhaps I could mention my own book 'Deborah and the War of the Tanks, 1917', being published by Pen & Sword Military in September 2016. This tells the story of D51 Deborah, the tank excavated in Flesquieres by Philippe Gorczynski after being knocked out at the Battle of Cambrai in November 1917. The book tells the story of this tank, and the previous one with the number D51 which took part in the Battle of Passchendaele, and of their commanders and crew. It includes previously unpublished accounts and photographs, and by focusing on the role of a specific tank and crew it presents important new insights into the part played by tanks in these two pivotal battles. That's my plug over! I'm already enjoying Stephen Pope's excellent book, and looking forward to seeing the others on your list. All the best, John Taylor This book is superb!! Almost finished it but don't want to. It's so well-researched, detailed and well-written, and yet it reads like the best of 'thrillers'. I've found it difficult to put down (although I obviously have at the moment whilst I type this). Excellent stuff......go out and buy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Scorer Posted 12 December , 2016 Share Posted 12 December , 2016 13 hours ago, simond9x said: This book is superb!! Almost finished it but don't want to. It's so well-researched, detailed and well-written, and yet it reads like the best of 'thrillers'. I've found it difficult to put down (although I obviously have at the moment whilst I type this). Excellent stuff......go out and buy it. I've just ordered it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeyH Posted 13 December , 2016 Share Posted 13 December , 2016 22 hours ago, The Scorer said: I've just ordered it! Me too! Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johntaylor Posted 14 December , 2016 Share Posted 14 December , 2016 To simond9X - thanks so much for your comments, they're truly appreciated! Obviously a lot of work went into this book from our whole team, so it's great to know that the results have repaid the effort. I hope others enjoy the book as much, and look forward to receiving any more feedback. All the best, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
other ranker Posted 14 December , 2016 Share Posted 14 December , 2016 My father in law was in the REME and worked for the company GKN who make the Warrior vehicle. He was part of the team that helped to conserve Deborah with Philippe Gorzynski. I don't think he is aware of your book, so I have ordered it for his Christmas present! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johntaylor Posted 14 December , 2016 Share Posted 14 December , 2016 (edited) That's excellent - the 118th Recovery Company of REME gets a mention in the book, as this unit moved Deborah into the barn after she was recovered. I'm delighted to say work is now under way on the new museum which will open in time for the centenary, and at some stage she'll make her way to her new, hopefully final home. It will be the end of a long journey! All the best, and thanks for the interest, John Edited 14 December , 2016 by johntaylor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Scorer Posted 1 January , 2017 Share Posted 1 January , 2017 On 12/11/2016 at 21:25, simond9x said: This book is superb!! Almost finished it but don't want to. It's so well-researched, detailed and well-written, and yet it reads like the best of 'thrillers'. I've found it difficult to put down (although I obviously have at the moment whilst I type this). Excellent stuff......go out and buy it. On 12/12/2016 at 11:23, The Scorer said: I've just ordered it! Well, I'm pleased to say that Santa delivered this in time for Christmas, and I've just spent a very enjoyable couple of days reading it. As simond9x says above, it is excellent, and I fully recommend it to anyone. I didn't know a lot about thanks before, but my knowledge is now much greater than it was as a result of reading this book. My congratulations to John and everyone involved ... all I have to do now is to visit Flesquieres to see Deborah! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johntaylor Posted 5 January , 2017 Share Posted 5 January , 2017 Very grateful for the feedback, and I'll pass on your message to the rest of the team. It goes without saying that I recommend going to see Deborah - a new museum is now under construction and is due to open in time for the centenary, so she will be even more accessible after that. All the best, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Scorer Posted 5 January , 2017 Share Posted 5 January , 2017 Thank you .... all donations to help me get to the museum will be gratefully received!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Scorer Posted 26 January , 2017 Share Posted 26 January , 2017 I'm looking at some tank books (and one other associated book) which I'm thinking of buying. Does anyone know anything about these, please? William Moore - "A Wood Called Bourlon - The Cover-up after Cambrai 1917" W H L Watson DSO DCM - "With the Tanks 1916 - 1918". and (not about tanks but by the same author) W H L Watson DSO DCM - "A Motorcycle Courier in the Great War" Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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