Panzer Commander: The Memoirs of Colonel Hans von Luck Publisher: Dell (January 5, 1991), 368 pages ISBN-13: 978-0440208020

Awarded the German Cross in Gold and the Knight's Cross, passionate leader with human insights and empathy write an excellent first person view of a difficult period of human turmoil. Panzer Commander is an enjoyable memoire that illustrates the author’s leadership as a Colonel in Rommel’s 7^th and 21^st Panzer Division. This is a human look at war from the other side which we rarely get to see. Von Luck writes with passion about the life long relationships he developed with his countrymen and the people who were the enemy. A humanitarian with heart felt empathy and honor for the enemy and the people he met before, during and WW II. Joined the military in 1929, hoping to part of the mounted (horse) force, was shortly thereafter assigned to the newly-created Panzerwaffe, or Mobile Armoured Force.

His experiences in Poland, France, North Africa and Russia provides singular and a unique window to the people and their countries during a time of world war. In speaking of one cultural insight, “…they were like children who could tear the wings off a fly in one minute, and the next cry over a dead bird. They might share their last crust of bread one moment, and then hit the same person over the head.”

Military tactics and campaigns are discussed, but this book is really a human adventure though the battle of El Alamein (North Africa), battle of Kasserine Pass during the Tunisia Campaign in February 1943, invasion of Poland, Belgium, France including Normandy on D-Day, the difficult Russian front and his 5 years in a Russian Gulag. Close to Rommel,  von Luck fought with and against some of the best soldiers in the world.