The book starts at the beginning of wanting to be a Marine, to include parts of the author's life that started on the very same journey. This helps to explain many of the Marine terms that are rarely seen (by me) in books about the Marine Corps and used among Marines that are lost to the outside world.

It sets the story of Marine Tanker well as one doesn't need to read any other books to cover the gap from recruit to Tanker. The book highlights some of the heroic actions of Marine Tankers to include the citation of Sgt. David J. Danner that explains why he was awarded the Navy Cross, the second highest award for bravery. Also the actions taken during the Tet Offensive and the Battle of Hue, to the lowest item of a Marine's life - latrine duty.

Many unknown parts of a Tanker's life are explained, to include the fact about ap...., ap....., try this one again ap....., the little yellow fruit that is not a peach that can not be spoken of. Also, the most important and unglamorous part of being a Tanker - tank maintenance. The four positions and roles of a Tanker are well explained and you get an insight into the "...complex physical ballet performed inside a closed steel box amid the roar of the engine and guns, pitching and rolling as it moves across rough terrain."

I enjoyed the book very much and highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in Marine Tankers.

To be fair to the readers I should note my own bias of being a Marine, a Tanker and a owner of Mr.Gilbert's other two books covering Marine Tankers in World War II and Korea, and waiting for his book on Marine Tank battles in Vietnam.
 

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly by a site that has  nearly 300,000 visitors a month, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.