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)

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.

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.

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.