Germany's opening run of victory in World War II was only made possible by the panzer forces that Gen. Heinz Guderian (1888-1954), the father of modern tank warfare, had created and trained, and by his audacious leadership of those forces from 1939-1941. Guderian's breakthrough at Sedan and his lightning drive to the Channel coast virtually decided the Battle of France. The drive he lead into the east came close to producing the complete collapse of Russia's armies, but at the end of 1941 Guderian was dismissed for taking a timely step back instead of pandering to Hitler's illusions. He was recalled to service only when Germany's situation had become desperate, and was eventually made Chief of the General Staff when it had become hopeless.

In these pages, the outspoken general shares his candid point of view on what would have led Germany to victory, and what ensured that it didn't. In addition to providing a rare inside look at key members of the Nazi party, Guderian reveals in detail how he developed the Panzer tank forces and orchestrated their various campaigns, from the break through at Sedan to his drive to the Channel coast that virtually decided the Battle of France. Panzer Leader became a bestseller within one year of its original publication in 1952 and has since been recognized as a classic account of the greatest conflict of our time.