The book honors an unsung hero,
Clarence Smoyer, who despite his hatred for violence, becomes the gunner of one of the first
Pershing tanks in the European Theatre. Smoyer and his tank crew lead the American invasion of
Nazi Germany. Smoyer, whose tank crew is instrumental to the
Battle of Cologne, recounts his step-by-step moves in the battle, particularly, shooting a car which unbeknown to him is carrying civilians. At the same time, the car is being shot by a German tank whose gunner is named Gustav Schaefer. Schaefer and Smoyer shoot each other for a few seconds. It ends when Smoyer's crew shoot down a nearby building which disables Shaefer's tank, but leave the Germans inside the tank unharmed. Schaefer and one of his friends escape while the rest of the crew decides to stand and fight. Schaefer credits Smoyer for saving him and his friend. The biography comes to an end with the meeting of Smoyer and Schaefer in Cologne, sharing their war stories and getting up to date since the war. == Critical reception ==