Outstanding, well written, great maps and supporting vignettes.This book is a great resource. It provides great background information on the key players and events that lead up to this great event in history; but, also places a heavy focus on the first 24 hours of the Operation and on two key players: The elite II SS Panzer Corp and the Soviet 5th Guards Tank Army during the crucial first phase of Unternehmen Zitadel (Operation Citadell). The book is rich with illustrations, maps, photos and explanations and is a rich source of information for both the novice and the experienced student of the Eastern Front.It has great appendice's, the Soviet and German Order of Battle, a great bibliography and supporting internet/web sites references.Terry Tucker, Professor Military History/Studies (US Army, SGM,Ret)