Spearhead

An American Tank Gunner, His Enemy, and a Collision of Lives in World War II

De: Adam Makos

Narrado por: Johnathan McClain

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The acclaimed author of A Higher Call and Devotion presents the “engrossing” (CNN) true story of an American tank gunner’s journey into the heart of the Third Reich during World War II, where he will meet destiny in an iconic armor duel—and forge an enduring bond with his enemy.

“A band of brothers in an American tank . . . Makos drops the reader back into the Pershing’s turret and dials up a battle scene to rival the peak moments of Fury.”—The Wall Street Journal

When Clarence Smoyer is assigned to the gunner’s seat of his Sherman tank, he discovers a hidden talent: He’s a natural-born shooter. At first, Clarence and his fellow crews in the legendary 3rd Armored Division—“Spearhead”—thought their tanks were invincible. Then they met the murderous German Panther and a pattern soon emerged: The lead tank always gets hit.

After Clarence sees his friends cut down at the West Wall and in the Battle of the Bulge, he and his crew are given a weapon with the power to avenge their fellow comrades—the Pershing, a state-of-the-art “super tank.” But with it comes a harrowing new responsibility: Now they will spearhead every attack.

That’s how Clarence finds himself leading the U.S. Army into its largest urban battle of the European war, the fight for Cologne, the “Fortress City” of Germany. Clarence will engage the fearsome Panther in a duel immortalized by an army cameraman. And he will square off with Gustav Schaefer, a teenager behind the trigger in a Panzer IV tank, whose crew has been sent on a suicide mission to stop the Americans.

What happens next will haunt Clarence to the modern day, drawing him back to Cologne to do the unthinkable: to face his enemy, one last time.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“A band of brothers in an American tank . . . Makos drops the reader back into the Pershing’s turret and dials up a battle scene to rival the peak moments of Fury. . . . A thoroughly enjoyable battle story, and a tribute to the everyman warrior.”
—Jonathan W. Jordan, The Wall Street Journal

“A detailed, gripping account . . . the remarkable story of two tank crewmen, from opposite sides of the conflict, who endure the grisly nature of tank warfare.”
—George Petras, USA Today (four out of four stars)

“This singular book is redolent with war. I cannot remember another narrative in which my abiding sensory experience was tasting grit and smelling smoke so often.”
—Philip Kopper, The Washington Times

“Engrossing . . . a war story and a mystery.”
—CNN

“An amazing book.”
—Fox News

“A superb book that combines a firsthand look at war with a story of healing.”
—Sandra Dallas, The Denver Post

“Strong and dramatic . . . Makos established himself as a meticulous researcher who’s equally adept at spinning a good old-fashioned yarn. . . . For a World War II aficionado, it will read like a dream.”
—Kim Curtis, Associated Press

“This is narrative history at its best, told by a master storyteller.”
—Col. Cole Kingseed, Army magazine

“Well-written and fast-paced, Spearhead is the story of a band of brothers from the 3rd Armored and is highly recommended.”
—American Rifleman magazine

“[A] dramatic, haunting true story.”
—AARP The Magazine

“A compelling, exciting adventure . . . an in-the-moment re-creation of the Allied breakthrough of the West Wall into Nazi Germany by a remarkable cadre of tank crewmen of the 3rd Armored Division.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“An engaging story of blood, sweat and tears . . . a wonderful homage to the Greatest Generation.”
—David Kindy, The Providence Journal

“The tension, death, and courage that were everyday experiences for American tankers fill the pages of Makos’s book. This moving story of bravery and comradeship is an important contribution to WWII history that will inform and fascinate both the general reader and the military historian.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Great story, but doubtful narration

This previously “unwritten story” is very moving, and inspiring, but the narration with YELLING, a times is very annoying.... let alone the pronunciation of Paderborn.... just be prepared for a great story with issues in narration.

Stick Around for the Ending!

As a WW2 buff, I really enjoyed every part of this book from the beginning but especially the end.

A story of true courage and love

Makos does a wonderful job of carefully researching the various people in this book. Every character is provided enough background that you care for them and realize the true horrible price of war.

The story is engaging throughout and never slowed down or got too diverted buy-side information. If you enjoy personal stories of world war II, then I highly recommend this book.

Wow! Just wow!

First and foremost, thank you Mr. Clarence Smoyer for sharing your story with us and for your sacrifice and service!  What a story and what a life you have and are living.  What a great man!  He fought to save his family inside that Tank, on the battlefield and also our American Family!  Words can't express how I feel about you and what you did and the wonderful way Adam Makos and the entire Makos Team put it to print.  This book will grab your mind and your heart!  It will clearly and impactfully remind us all of the Greatest Generation, their willingness to sacrifice all to save the world from tyranny and evil.  Once again, thank you Clarence for sharing your life with us so we can become better people and so we NEVER, EVER FORGET AND ALWAYS REMEMBER!  God bless you and your family of heroes!  What a story!  What a book! 

Incredible journey !!’

This book captures an incredible journey that brings to close to the battle and consequences of war. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand the battle from the lens of a tank crew!

Good listen, very interesting and engaging

I enjoy military history and this book did not disappoint. Sometimes I felt like I was right in the tank.

must read, everything about it was great

loved it! I'd reccomend 1000x over. from start to finish it was awesome. I couldn't turn it off

Non-fiction that reads like fiction

This collection of first hand accounts and amazing research resulted in a piece of work that was absolutely captivating.

Amazing story!

Another beautiful WWII story by Adam I’ve read 2 now and looking for another!! New favorite author

Ambose Level Achievement

Adam Makos has written another "Band of Brothers" here with the setting amongst tank gunners. It's simply one of the best books on Audible. Riveting, personal, and horrific, it captures all sides of a war that engulfed everyone who fought. Makos manages to humanize everyone involved. Like Stephen Ambrose, James Holland, Prit Buttar, Max Hastings, and others, he's amongst the elite military history writers. No doubt I accidentally failed to mention several others. Bravo to this most cinematic tale of war. I can't wait to see what he does next.

Johnathan MacClain has never been better. This is his sweet spot. Couldn't be a better pairing.