A young officer, Belton Cooper, went from Normandy to the Elbe with the 3rd Armored Division of the US Army. Written in vivid language and rich in fascinating detail, his memoirs illuminate the US Army's combat use of tanks in the final phase of World War II in Europe. The tragedies of defeats and brilliant victories, trench humor, pain from losses, and even just sketches of the life of American soldiers and junior officers during the war make this book interesting even for the most demanding reader.