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Life in a Tank
A personal account of the experiences of a soldier fighting in a tank during World War I, including the challenges of living in cramped and dangerous conditions, the dynamics of the tank crew, and the intense violence of modern warfare. This book provides a vivid and compelling portrayal of the realities of war from the perspective of a frontline soldier.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.
This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.
This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
162 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1918
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 25, 2013
A good insight into the very first tanks, the men who used them and their training in WWI
September 5, 2023
There's a ripping tale to be told here somewhere but the book is too poorly written to find it.
Haigh, an officer in the Tank Corps could benefit from a good editor and glance at a grammar primer.
The book would have gleaned a reluctant 3 had it not been for the last chapter, A Philosophy of War (the author is all for it). This chapter contains such gems as:
"Now, others, as well, have discovered that war's advantages outweigh so much its losses"
and
"Others will realize, too, that although one may lose one's best, yet one's worst is made better."
This written by a former infantryman who had spent a significant time in the trenches. Apparently Lt Haigh had a lovely time participating in the War to End All Wars. Sassoon this is not.
There are much better memoirs out there, don't waste your time with this one.
Haigh, an officer in the Tank Corps could benefit from a good editor and glance at a grammar primer.
The book would have gleaned a reluctant 3 had it not been for the last chapter, A Philosophy of War (the author is all for it). This chapter contains such gems as:
"Now, others, as well, have discovered that war's advantages outweigh so much its losses"
and
"Others will realize, too, that although one may lose one's best, yet one's worst is made better."
This written by a former infantryman who had spent a significant time in the trenches. Apparently Lt Haigh had a lovely time participating in the War to End All Wars. Sassoon this is not.
There are much better memoirs out there, don't waste your time with this one.
August 11, 2019
World war 1 Armor experience
Good insight to scenes of a soldier's experience in the early days of tank warfare. It's not about tactics or strategy but about living and a novel picture into a revolutionary area of warfare. The last chapter is reflective and philosophical. It's worth reading and is a poignant glimpse of how minds of the era tried to reconcile the war with the reality. Some of it is relevant in any conflict and other parts reflect the stuff upper lip of the Brits.
Good insight to scenes of a soldier's experience in the early days of tank warfare. It's not about tactics or strategy but about living and a novel picture into a revolutionary area of warfare. The last chapter is reflective and philosophical. It's worth reading and is a poignant glimpse of how minds of the era tried to reconcile the war with the reality. Some of it is relevant in any conflict and other parts reflect the stuff upper lip of the Brits.
June 30, 2019
A good read
This author spared us most of the details of "life in a tank" so he can devote more space to telling us what it all means. He's a good, persuasive writer, to the point of making even blame fool statements like "there are no horrors in war" sound nearly reasonable. But I do wish he had told us a little more about life in one of the very first tank detachments in history. Isn't that what the book was about after all?
This author spared us most of the details of "life in a tank" so he can devote more space to telling us what it all means. He's a good, persuasive writer, to the point of making even blame fool statements like "there are no horrors in war" sound nearly reasonable. But I do wish he had told us a little more about life in one of the very first tank detachments in history. Isn't that what the book was about after all?
August 22, 2019
Better than expected
Very informative. I loved the first person perspective on the realities of war. And I especially love that this was written just after the war (ww1) so little memory was lost or tainted by years and political injection. This short book is more about the day to day life from a British soldiers first hand view than it is about the tanks, which I found more eye opening and relevant to my liking. Very recommended.
Very informative. I loved the first person perspective on the realities of war. And I especially love that this was written just after the war (ww1) so little memory was lost or tainted by years and political injection. This short book is more about the day to day life from a British soldiers first hand view than it is about the tanks, which I found more eye opening and relevant to my liking. Very recommended.
June 22, 2026
Less than I hoped for
Not much combat and even less insight. Writing is ok but im the style of the times. Skip this one.
Not much combat and even less insight. Writing is ok but im the style of the times. Skip this one.
March 29, 2014
Effects of war
This book about a tank crew in WW I is very informative about not only what physically went on but also how it affected them mentally and philosophically. I highly recommend it.
This book about a tank crew in WW I is very informative about not only what physically went on but also how it affected them mentally and philosophically. I highly recommend it.
May 18, 2015
This is a short book published in 1918 about Richard Haigh's experiences in World War I. The tank was a new weapon of war which the English effectively used. The effectiveness of the tank by the English led the Germans to place much emphasis on its development during the buildup to WW II.
January 21, 2016
A brief summary of the life of wow tankers
Short story of late war tank training and combat followed by authors justification of military training and warfare. Must be read with the timeless it was written in mind.
Short story of late war tank training and combat followed by authors justification of military training and warfare. Must be read with the timeless it was written in mind.
December 14, 2013
Relays the thought and lifestyle of the British men who were the first to train and fight using tanks in World War I. This is a short read and exudes the optimism of the age.
March 19, 2016
I didint like the ending but overal
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews