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 enlarge | Author: Kurt Meyer
Publisher: Stackpole Books
Category: Book
List Price: $19.95
Buy New: $3.98
You Save: $15.97 (80%)
New (28) Used (14) from $3.97
Avg. Customer Rating:  16 reviews
Sales Rank: 186684
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 436
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.5
Dimensions (in): 9 x 6 x 1.3
ISBN: 0811731979
Dewey Decimal Number: 940.541343092
EAN: 9780811731973
ASIN: 0811731979
Publication Date: June 1, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Ships immediately! Perfect and New! 2005 Paperback.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Unenlightening and disapointing August 7, 2007
3 out of 15 found this review helpful
Kurt Meyer was one of the most revered, controversial military figures to come out of World War 2. He was the very epitome of the Waffen-SS officer; youthful, dynamic, fearless and ruthless. He was a member of the SS from the pre-war era till his capture in 1944. His memoirs one would hope would have shed light on the reasons he joined the SS and maybe provide his version as to what really happened at the Abbey Ardenne and the Canadian prisoners. At least some attempt at explaining why a generation of men would join an organization like the Waffen-SS. "Grenadiers" provides no such explanation. It is just a short "military" memoir which does little to explain the motivations and justifications of one of the SS' most famous personalities. It is valuable as a source of the SS in combat but as a memoir it is extremely disappointing. I felt under whelmed after reading this so-called "classic." Meyer ultimately does a disservice to the "grenadiers" he seeks to vindicate. Rather than proving that he and his men were not criminals but patriotic idealists you're provided with just another war book.
 Tactics to be used when constanly out numbered. July 5, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Kurt Meyer clearly shows how in Poland, France, Greece, Russia the familiar concept "blitzkrieg" is put to use. What was extremely eye opening was that the Germans (Kurt Meyers troops) were always outnumbered, yet with superior tactics and leadership they were able to come out on top. Kurt Meyer clearly illustrates how this was possible, through personal accounts. Furthermore, I was suprised that from the very beginning in Poland that the fighting was fierce - Greece had fierce fighting, and even from the very first month of the Russian campaign the Germans had their hands full.
As you read this book you will see that Meyer used great tactics and was very aggresive to achieve success, yet several times he wrote about how scared he was, how he cried many times at the loss of various friends - Not very Hollywood for a warrior - but very real.
The Normandy fighting is highlighted by how extensively the Germans were bombed by artillery, naval guns, four engined bombers, and attack fighters (the fighter planes according to Meyer were the most feared).
For those that beleive most if not all Waffen SS were involved with atrocities, and are annoyed that Meyer does not confess to the atrocities he comitted, should read James Bacque's Other Losses - after May 8th 1945 approximately 1,000,000 German POWs died under the care of the USA and the French - Obviously the majority of American soldiers and officers were not involved in the death of all those POWs.
Great reading Great Book June 8, 2007
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is a great book about panzer meyer "Kurt Meyer's" nickname. Though I didn't know much about the guy prior to reading the book I do now. I was informative from his early days through his release from prison. I took a chance and it turned out very and I good couldn't put it down. The one negative thing I have to say is maps stackpole books I have read are not great. In fact the names are sometime spelled differently than on the map and that is if you can find the places on the map in the first place. Still great book though.
Very direct, honest account April 21, 2007
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
Meyer was perhaps the bravest general in the German Army in WWII. That he was in the SS and that he was put on trial for war crimes means that his name will never be mentioned with Manstein or Rommel. That is unfortunate because as his memior painstakingly points out he didn't view service in the SS as any different from the regular army (maybe he was naive in that respect) and he certainly was not guilty of war crimes. Nor is he shy about criticizing German high command or the leadership of the allied troops he fought, especially the Russians and the Canadians who clearly relished being his captors later. An excellent read for any WWII buffs interested in the German point of view.
Panzermeyer lives up to his reputation December 27, 2006
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
Kurt Meyer served with many of the most charismatic of the Waffen-SS to include officers like Jochen Peiper, Fritz Witt, and Max Wuensche. His reputation as an effective leader among his men is legendary and 'Grenadiers' shows just why he was so successful at command and a truly dynamic leader. His passion for soldiering clearly shows in this delivery of what is ultimately a recollection of combat command and engagement with the enemy of his time.
The book delivered in presenting the war from the viewpoint of a legendary Waffen-SS commander who fought at some of the most vicious battles during the Second World War to include the battles of Kharkov and Normandy. I did not expect an accounting of atrocities nor was I looking for that in his book. There are plenty of other books and material available from government archives that cover atrocity during the Second World War. Also, the original publishing date was fairly early and many of those who lost were still reeling as to why. Kurt Meyer is no exception.
If you are interested in the viewpoint of a Waffen-SS officer who rose through the ranks to become the youngest W-SS divisional commander, who presents the war in a very readable way, and seek a better understanding of the German perspective, then the book is an absolute must read. If you are looking for a Nuernberg apology then you will be dissappointed. Like many senior commanders Meyer fails to understand the reasons for defeat.
As a memoir, it is on par with 'Company Commander' another war memoir from the US perspective.
I recommend this book highly to those who enjoy learning more than one side of the story.
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