Borrowed Steven Zaloga’s “Armored Champion” book from Tim.  Subtitled “The Top Tanks of World War II”, it is a fantastic overview of  tanks development from 1919 to 1945.

While the author’s selection of “Top Tank” for specific eras/years at first seems  gimmicky, it is actually an interesting exercise, as he takes both Commander’s and Tank Crew’s perspective.

Zaloga’s criteria focuses on the “Holy Trinity” of tank design; armor, firepower and mobility.

Chapter 1 explores “What Makes a Great Tank.”  In addition to the “Trinity”, Zaloga also addresses communications, crew layout/tasks, durability, crew capabilities and cost.  These criteria are used throughout the book.

Later chapters examine pre-war developments, and a by-year analysis of tank development and combat, with selections made at the end of each chapter.

Easily appreciated charts help illustrate his criteria and support his conclusions.  The photographs are of excellent quality.

Indispensable!