Gordon Williamson's EK book - a preliminary review
I have just received my copy of Gordon Williamson's new book The Iron Cross of 1939 and I spent a good part of this afternoon going through it. To say that this book is a treat is a massive understatement. Delayed in publication for several months, it is more than worth the wait. Simply put, this book is incredible!
First off, the book is up to the usual publishing standards that one has come to expect from Bender Publishing. It is a top-quality product. And with almost 500 pages crammed full of not only written information but also hundreds and hundreds of color and black and white photographs, illustrations, and award documents, it is not just comprehensive, it is overwhelming!
The book begins with (for perspective) a fair historical background of the EK from 1813 to 1914. Then it has information on manufacturing techniques and makers' marks. From there it moves on to entire separate chapters on all classes of the award as well as individual chapters on the Repetition Clasps, the German Cross, the Honor Roll Clasps, Preliminary Certificates, Urkunden, 1957 "New Form" crosses, reproductions, Knight's Cross award statistics, and a glossary. I don't think there is any variation of this award or its offshoots that hasn't been covered -- and thoroughly. (I was personally pleased to see one piece illustrated in the book that is now in my collection!)
This book is definitely a "must-have." It will provide many informative hours, not just for aficionados of the Iron Cross of 1939 but for any student of German World War Two awards.
I'm sure that there will be more commentary from forum members on this work in the coming weeks and months (and there might be some bones of contention) but my initial reaction is, "Great job, Gordon! I mean, really!"
George
First off, the book is up to the usual publishing standards that one has come to expect from Bender Publishing. It is a top-quality product. And with almost 500 pages crammed full of not only written information but also hundreds and hundreds of color and black and white photographs, illustrations, and award documents, it is not just comprehensive, it is overwhelming!
The book begins with (for perspective) a fair historical background of the EK from 1813 to 1914. Then it has information on manufacturing techniques and makers' marks. From there it moves on to entire separate chapters on all classes of the award as well as individual chapters on the Repetition Clasps, the German Cross, the Honor Roll Clasps, Preliminary Certificates, Urkunden, 1957 "New Form" crosses, reproductions, Knight's Cross award statistics, and a glossary. I don't think there is any variation of this award or its offshoots that hasn't been covered -- and thoroughly. (I was personally pleased to see one piece illustrated in the book that is now in my collection!)
This book is definitely a "must-have." It will provide many informative hours, not just for aficionados of the Iron Cross of 1939 but for any student of German World War Two awards.
I'm sure that there will be more commentary from forum members on this work in the coming weeks and months (and there might be some bones of contention) but my initial reaction is, "Great job, Gordon! I mean, really!"
George
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