Spearhead

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

By: Adam Makos

Narrated by: Johnathan McClain

Length: 13 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, and USA Today Best Seller

“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)

From the author of the international best seller A Higher Call comes the riveting World War II story of an American tank gunner’s journey into the heart of the Third Reich, where he will meet destiny in an iconic armor duel - and forge an enduring bond with his enemy.

When Clarence Smoyer is assigned to the gunner’s seat of his Sherman tank, his crewmates discover that the gentle giant from Pennsylvania has 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 German Panther, with a gun so murderous it could shoot through one Sherman and into the next. Soon a pattern emerged: The lead tank always gets hit.

After Clarence sees his friends cut down breaching the West Wall and holding the line in the Battle of the Bulge, he and his crew are given a weapon with the power to avenge their fallen brothers: the Pershing, a state-of-the-art “super tank”, one of 20 in the European theater.

But with it comes a harrowing new responsibility: Now they will spearhead every attack. That’s how Clarence, the corporal from coal country, finds himself leading the US Army into its largest urban battle of the European war, the fight for Cologne, the “Fortress City” of Germany.

Battling through the ruins, 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.

As Clarence and Gustav trade fire down a long boulevard, they are taken by surprise by a tragic mistake of war. 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.

“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.” (USA Today, four out of four stars)

©2019 Random House Audio (P)2019 Adam Makos

Critic reviews

"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 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)

“The tension, death, and courage that were everyday experiences for American tankers fill the pages of Makos’ 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)

Phenomenal !!

Couldn’t quit listening. One of the best world war two books out there. I highly recommend.

Well researched!!

Again Adam Marlos has duplicated his amazing tenacity in research to scope out these stories from the last remaining veterans of WW2. The story is stranger than fiction..but it’s all true. My hat is off to all of the veterans of WW2. Ordinary men doing the extraordinary on both sides of the lines. If you are not crying by the end there is something wrong with you.

OK interesting insight into US tank operations in

WWII , but dragged at some sections of the story. Only recommended for military enthusiasts.

Amazing!

An absolutely amazing account Spearhead and the 3rd Armor Division. The narration was perfect as well.

Touching, amazing story.

How these paths crossed then and decades later - and were not lost to history - is absolutely astounding. Perhaps one of the last great stories that will ever come out of WWII - a phenomenal, must-listen!!

Excellent POV Read from BOTH Sides!

Arguably one of the best books on the European Theater of War I've ever read. Told from the viewpoint of American and German soldiers in World War II, this story brings to life stuff we glanced over in school. There is no moral high ground here, just a fight for survival.

Great Book!

A truely excellent book. No candy coating of war and its affects. I highly recommend

7 years to late. War is forever

Lost my father in 2013 and wish I had read this book as a way to understand the tragedy of WW2. He was a young Marine in the South Pacific of 17 years old and lived with the PTSD for the rest of his life and it indelibly etched my brothers and my mothers lives forever.War effects EVERYONE!!!!!

Engaging story of the lives beyond the war

I have read all of Makos others books, but I will admit I was initially hesitant since I thought this book would be too technical. I am so glad I read it as I learned a ton about tank warfare and just how much our veterans endured. What I love about this story is the people- you get to enter their lives and learn about their homes, families, quirks and senses of humor. You get to see their regrets, anger and sorrow as they morally battle the tasks at hand. I also appreciated learning about the struggles the average German citizen endured as war raged literally outside of their homes. Do yourself a favor and buy this book, you will be hooked from the start!!!!

Pretty good book

After a couple chapters I wasn’t much into this book. I stayed with it because I love tanks and stories from
WW2 and so glad I did.