Death of the Leaping Horseman by Jason Mark

[Vor]

Well, I just got this fresh off the plane from the Land Down Under, and my first impression is...Doug Nash, meet Jason Mark!

This book is a watershed achievement because, for the first time in the English language, Stalingrad has been well described from the tactical level point of view. Low level personalities, OOB's, TO&E's, both aerials & city plans annotated with objectives, front lines, battle sketches, etc., this boy has done his homework.

This book will appeal to those interested in Chuikov or Kehrig, rather than the traditional overdone strategic overview approach like Beevor.

For those who wished there could be a "Hell's Gate" of Stalingrad, I can only urge you to immediately secure your copy before it's too late. It's probably a limited print book.

[Commissar D, the Evil]

Hey Vor, I read your post and put my order in for the book as well. I hope you're right, at $56 a pop (from Australia to the U.S. by Air) it's an expensive roll of the dice. But I did like the way the site hooked into Paypal, it sure makes spending money easy!!! Still, if Vor says he thinks it's a decent book, then what the hey, why not give it a try? Best Regards, David

[Vor]

I have to say I am still quite amazed at this book, & Jason's efforts. The print quality is the best, the photos are clear. A large portion of the photos are novel (a tall task wrt Stalingrad).

Quite frankly, and this is not meant as disrespect...but I didn't expect this kind of a book...largely because so few authors put such effort into the research & production. I only wish I had asked Jason to autograph it.

Like I said, "Hell's Gate" is what comes to mind. It's on that level. I wish Doug Nash's publisher had given him the green light to make more use of topographic maps & aerial photos. It would have really jazzed up that book even further.

[Michael Avanzini]

I'm about 100 pages into this book and I have to say that it is fantastic. The book is richly detailed yet incredibly readable. It follows the division on a daily basis, but it is more then just reading the dry unit diary. Jason has added texture and first hand accounts into this diary and that gives it the substance that makes it an enjoyable read.

In another post I already praised Jason for the quality of the book. The maps allow you to follow the text, and also the photos actually follow the text!

Like Vor I would say it is on the level of Doug's Hells Gate book, putting these two book at the top of my list for the best I have read in a few years.

Funny but I also thought the same and had wished I asked him to sign it.

David, I consider it the best $56 I spent on a book in awhile. And it arrived in 4 days by air!

[Commissar D, the Evil]

Thanks Michael! I already received the notification that the book was shipped. Gee, anyone who can breathe new life into the battle of Stalingrad gets my vote for "Great Writer"!
I'll post again after I've had the chance to look at it, but so far, I'm not regreting the money! Best Regards, David

[Fridolin]

Hi guys,
would you provide ordering info? where's the site? does it accept anything other than Paypal (hate it)?

[Vor]

http://www.leapinghorseman.com/

[Commissar D, the Evil]

Hey Fridolin, my Great, Good Friend, do let me know if you encounter any problem ordering the book. Very Best Regards, David

[D.W.]

I just went to that website. That looks like an excellent book. I'm just too cheap to pay the money. But I will say this book looks like it is worth every penny.

[Fridolin]

I'd like to know if the book concentrates only and exclusively on 24. Pz or if it offers a wider picture. I'd like to read something on Stalingrad at the tactical level between let's say Beevor and a purely Divisional history.

[Commissar D, the Evil]

Well, one things certain, Leaping Horseman books has awesome customer service, I just received my copy in the mail!
Fridolin, I haven't read this yet but it looks like an incredibly complete unit history of the 24th Panzer.
Just at a glance, the book's production values are awesome! The photos are printed on a glossy paper that brings out the details despite the size of the pages. What are really impressive are the appendices, including an "Officer's Biography" appendix.
I'll post more later, but it looks like a great value and a very, very detailed History. Best Regards, David

[rothj]

Just received this book in the mail pronto. It is one of the best division histories I have seen. crisp and clear and with much info. on the tactical level. You won't be disapponted. Jon

[book lover]

Hi,Leaping Horsemen is at the top of my list of must read books.Is There a hard cover version?

[jmark]

Hi Book Lover,

No, there is no hardcover version of the book, and there are no plans for one. The price was too prohibitive as a self-publisher... I'd have to triple my price to even come close to recouping my costs.

I did use a high-quality satin stock, 175 line-per-inch printing (instead of the usual 125-150 lpi) for higher resolution photos as well as having the whole book section-sewn (my printer reassures me you couldn't rip the book apart). Also a gloss lamination for the cover. I hope that these quality features make up for the fact that the book doesn't have a hardcover or dustjacket.

Thanks.

Jason Mark

[Commissar D, the Evil]

Hi Jason, I too was a bit put off by the thought of a paper binding. But after actually receiving the book, I can honestly say that the materials are top flight, especially the quality of paper used. The photos are crisp and clear. Your book is a wonderful piece of research in a very good binding with exceptional paper quality. Cheers, D