Reader's opinions on History Facts' books

Reading samples		James D. Crabtree (Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, USA) on amazon.com This book was put together using photographs and journal entries by a Flak Helper, an antiaircraft assistant who was for all practical purposes drafted from school in order to help man the air defenses of the Third reich. Gerhard Oberleitner was one such flak helper whose was part of a group of schoolboys sent from his town (part of annexed Austria) to man the guns defending a tank factory. The use of flak helpers allowed the Luftwaffe to man the antiaircraft guns and associated equipment without taking badly-needed manpower from frontline service. Yet the boys manning the guns had to also attend school lessons on site. Their lives were supposed to be regimented by military life and yet their status as quasi-soldiers and the needs of the guns precluded the discipline and spit-and-polish standard in other units. And as the war went against Germany the life they lived became harder and harder. I love the photos used in this book. Oberleitner was an amateur photographer but he got some excellent shots of what the day-to-day life of Flak crewmen was like. Also, his insights into how the operation of the flak sites worked in practice is fascinating. With that said, the organization of the book suffers as the book seems to jump among topics rather than work through a strictly chronological order. Also, the translation of some of the text is a little jarring... German antiaircraft artillery is almost always referred to as "flak," the same as it is in German. On the other hand, the acronym used by the author for flak helpers ("antiaircraft assistants") is "AAA," which is also the English abbreviation for antiaircraft artillery. There is no reason not to use the German terminology, at least in a sparing manner. This is a good book. It is easy to read. But its style just takes some getting used to.
Reading samples		Hernani S. Oliveira Filho (São Paulo, SP Brasil) on amazon.com This book is a very interesting source of what happened with german stug battalions in the beggining of the war... Robin Buckland (UK) on militarymodelling.com Don't be misled by the German language title as this is an English language publication, and an excellent opening book in a planned series on the Sturm artillerie from Thomas Anderson. The early period of the Stug is covered in this first volume and one well worth seeing for any modeller with an interest in these early war vehicles.
Reading samples		William L. Robinson (Elgin IL, USA) on amazon.com A little known campaign and a well done effort. This is a nice companion to "Panzerkampfgruppe Strachwitz". While a small book in terms of length, this volume helps fill an important niche in the history of Army Group North's futile attempts to hold back the Red Army.  "Vivelefrance" (wehrmacht-awards.com) A new book Battle for Narva, 1944 by Mansal Denton came out... and I bought it. Finally it arrived and I have finished the book... Great book! It was a bit short, but there is very interesting info on the text and the photos are beautiful. I have not seen many of them. worth buying for sure. Eric "book lover" (Feldgrau.net) Just finish reading my copy of the battle of narva. fantastic! Excellent photos! Everybody should get a copy.Thanks mr. Denton.Excellent work. Justin Sandy (facebook.com) Well I have just finished the book twice... (when you are in the army and you get stuck in the field for a week you find lots of time on your hands) I have read otto Carius's memoirs, "Tigers in the Mud," which focuses on this area (and Mansal cites several times). I specifically enjoy Mansal's photo comparisons between the wartime shots taken, and shots he personally took on his trip to Estonia. I am a huge fan of maps and the maps with unit positions kept the book in a vey logical perspectie for me as we jumped from North, to East, to South as the battle progressed. The tables in the back were also very itneresting to look over and this as well added great perspective to the Axis side's starting and ending position in this battle...
Reading samples   Reading samples		Dean Allison (Durkham, UK) on amazon.co.uk This is the best single reference book you will find about the Stug III. The book covers the full spectrum of production with accompanying photos to help identify the changes as the respective factories introduced them. This is the bible of the Stug III and a book of indispensable use to serious model builders or vehicle historians and restorers. An excellent book highly recommended, don't be put of by the price, you will pay four times this collecting other reference and still be short by a mile. Lorente i Solivellas Antoni (Inca-Mallorca, Spain) I recently purchased both volumes about the Stug III, you did an really great job, they are the best books about the Stug, so please receive my sincere congratulations. Eric Reits (on missing-lynx.com) I have both books (in German)and are the best books I have on the StuG (having many others including the great Spielberger etc). Especially for the modeller the second volume is excellent, showing the many changes in all details in time (and factory) by pictures, which allows you to identify a StuG picture but also get all details right when building one... A unique set of books and i am looking forwards to the PzKpfw IV series... Guy Deyoung (in Amazon.com) This book [Vol. II] is outstanding. It is clearly written with great information on the development of the Stug. III with excellent pictures to illustrate the text. If you are a model builder then you will find this book invaluable as a reference when building a Stug. Gunnar Jansson (Sandviken, Sweden) A friend had this book [Vol II] and I had the opportunity to have a look at it before I ordered it and I must say I was really impressed, VERY nice, keep up the good work
Reading samples		Bruce W. Deane (Alexandria, Virginia) ... and I have a great treasure to read. Your research really complements my library and this particular aircraft in the collection. Question, are you doing any future books? We share a common interest, past, and desire to learn more about technology in Germany 1933-1945. I am also a recently retired fighter pilot (F-4 C/D/E/G, 3000 hrs) and Nellis Weapons Fighter Weapons School graduate. ... Keep me posted on your projects and congratulations on a job well done. Randy Bumgardner (Administrator www.Largescaleplanes.com) I have to say that this is an amazing piece of work. The technical research and presentation is superb, as is the supporting documentation - original documentation. I wish there were more references like this out there for more aircraft. Jim Davis (St.Charles, MO USA) ... The book does contain a very complete and comprehensive history of the background, design, production, and operations of the He 162. The appendices are particularly interesting detailing the engines, weapons, instruments, ejection seat, camouflage and markings, and cockpit of the aircraft. The line drawings are well done but not overly detailed. There is a nice inboard profile. Color is restricted to 10 pages of color schemes and unit insignia that are not up to current standards, however. This is the big problem with the book. Production standards are, well, substandard.... Still, this is still a well researched and written account of the He 162... You can't really go wrong buying this book. It will tell you all you'll really need to know on the subject... Leon Venter (New Kent, Virginia) The book contains a collection of about 200 primary source documents, describing the aircraft's development, testing, production and operational history. It includes reprints of several manuals, as well as details about performance and specifications, armament, power plants, variations, camouflage and markings, and captured machines. However, the book is more than just a compilation of documents. Each section contains a substantial amount of text, in which the author provides detailed interpretations and conclusions, backed by extensive footnotes and a comprehensive list of sources. Where surviving documentation is inconclusive, the author states his assumptions and explains his reasoning. Cons: Photo reproduction is not the best, but it's OK. The scale drawings (1/48th) are not very detailed. Summary: The best reference on the He 162. A very thorough, readable and balanced account -- highly recommended. I hope this publisher will go on to cover other types in the same manner.