“An important contribution to the history of World War II . . . I have never before been able to learn so much about maintenance methods of an armored division, with precise details that underline the importance of the work, along with descriptions of how the job was done.”—Russell F. Weigley, author of Eisenhower’s Lieutenants“Cooper saw more of the war than most junior officers, and he writes … officers, and he writes about it better than almost anyone. . . . His stories are vivid, enlightening, full of life—and of pain, sorrow, horror, and triumph.”—Stephen E. Ambrose, from his Foreword
“In a down-to-earth style, Death Traps tells the compelling story of one man’s assignment to the famous 3rd Armored Division that spearheaded the American advance from Normandy into Germany. Cooper served as an ordnance officer with the forward elements and was responsible for coordinating the recovery and repair of damaged American tanks. This was a dangerous job that often required him to travel alone through enemy territory, and the author recalls his service with pride, downplaying his role in the vast effort that kept the American forces well equipped and supplied. . . . [Readers] will be left with an indelible impression of the importance of the support troops and how dependent combat forces were on them.”—Library Journal
“As an alumnus of the 3rd, I eagerly awaited this book’s coming out since I heard of its release . . . and the wait and the book have both been worth it. . . . Cooper is a very polished writer, and the book is very readable. But there is a certain quality of ‘you are there’ many other memoirs do not seem to have. . . . Nothing in recent times—ridgerunning in Korea, firebases in Vietnam, or even the one hundred hours of Desert Storm—pressed the ingenuity and resolve of American troops . . . like WWII. This book lays it out better than any other recent effort, and should be part of the library of any contemporary warrior.”—Stephen Sewell, Armor Magazine
“Cooper’s writing and recall of harrowing events is superb and engrossing. Highly recommended.”—Robert A. Lynn, The Stars and Stripes
“This detailed story will become a classic of WWII history and required reading for anyone interested in armored warfare.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“[Death Traps] fills a critical gap in WWII literature. . . . It’s a truly unique and valuable work.”—G.I. Journal
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This book is the best I have read in providing solid information about our WWII SHerman tanks. They were indeed death traps and a blot on US generals who sent our soldiers into combat in such inferior machines. I had an uncle who was in Patton’s tank army and saw lots of action. He had nothing good to say about the Sherman tank.
This book really tells how it was to be in a Sherman tank in WWII.
The book gives you a look at WWII from a different angle; that of maintenance. I knew the Sherman tank was no match for the German Panther or Tiger but this book presents the facts and the views from a man that had to fix the Shermans after the German got through putting holes in them.
Enjoyed the read. The folly of an ego in a general, and lack of prepping for war during peace time.
A different look at World war 2 in Europe. Author holds nothing back. Informative on the failures to support American armor against the Nazis and the sacrifice in American lifes
A catalog of misfortunate decisions and missed opportunities to provide a better weapons system to brave soldiers who had to make up the equipments’ shortfalls with initiative, courage, flexibility and, unfortunately, casualties.
Good book about tanks in WWII
A different view of WWII European action centered on Battle Tank usage (M-4 Sherman), maintenance, losses, tank design weaknesses and first-person account of the battles from Normandy to the surrender by German forces. The author, an Army Liaison Officer, adds the strengths of the German Tanks and how our tank crews tried to overcome the design …
Excellent information on WWII never covered before in any military book. The mingling of the authors historical record of what the “non-combatant” soldiers did, mixed with the authors expertise on tank tactics and tank designs was exceptional.
History of one armored division in Europe but also detailed analysis of relative strength of tanks and the way tanks fought.
I learned a great deal about WW II American tanks in the European theater. The author was there, an officer in charge of keeping the things repaired and running. His accounts of hedgerow combat, urban warfare and the personalities he encountered are riveting. American tanks were very inferior to the German panzers and anti-tank weapons. Mostly the …
Needs a good editor
A familiar piece of history, but from a brand-new ( at least for me..) perspective.
The inadequacy of the Sherman tank vs the Nazi Panther tank led to the tragic loss of several thousand US servicemen in WW II. Some of the details of tank design are perhaps too technical for some readers, but it was very informative and easy to read.
As a veteran of the 3d Armored Division, serving in Germany during the Cold War I have always had an interest in the history of the Division. Cooper provides an in depth & realistic view of life with the Division during WW II. I have spoken to WW II veterans from the conflict and they inform me that Cooper “got it right” with his description of …