Day of the Panzer:
A Story of American Heroism and Sacrifice in Southern France
Jeff Danby
Blog:
Again, I am long overdue in posting! My apologies!
Day of the Panzer recently received a very positive review in the March 2009 issue of "WWII History" magazine (pages 69-70.) Also, "Armchair General" magazine, in their January 2009 issue listed Day of the Panzer as a "must read" in the Bookshelf Section (page 92).
I've been working steadily on my next book (the history of B Company / 756th Tank Battalion in WWII) but have still found time to do promotion and some additional writing. Recently, I was invited back to speak before the Newark-Heath Rotary Club. I also wrote a 4000 word article for WWII Quarterly. It is currently being reviewed by their panel of scholars.
More soon...
Jeff Danby
5:25 PM, March 30th, 2009
My apologies for the long delay! These have been some busy months!
Day of the Panzer continues to do very well. It was featured as a "Main Selection" for the History Book Club in July and was also a "Main Selection" for the Military Book Club in August. More positive reviews have popped up on the Internet, and I'm still awaiting several key book reviewers to publish their opinions in the near future.
My local talks and book signings have done very well. I was invited back to Waldenbooks for a book signing sometime before Christmas. My most recent talk was before the Granville Rotary on September 22nd. I will have a book signing at The Works in Newark in the early part of November. More soon...
From September 11th through 14th, I attended the annual reunion for the 756th Tank Battalion Association. The reunion was held in Washington D.C. This was my grandfather's outfit and I maintain this organization's website (www.756tank.com.)
From September 18th through 21st, I attended the much larger reunion for the Society of the Third Infantry Division, where I also held a book signing. This reunion was held at Fort Benning, Georgia. The banquet for the 15th Infantry Regiment Association dinner had one thousand in attendance! Many were active duty members and I can tell you that his country is being defended by some very bright, motivated, and impressive young men and women. I also had the privilege of meeting John C. McManus, the author of The 7th Infantry Regiment: Combat in an Age of Terror, the Korean War through the Present. If you are interested reading more of this remarkable unit, I highly recommend his book. John's next book will cover the 7th Infantry Regiment from the War of 1812 to WWII. It is due out next year.
At this time, I am working on some WWII magazine articles and am heavily into outlining my next book (tentatively called Men of Armor)
I promise a more timely post next time!
Jeff Danby
3:55 PM, October 7th, 2008
Day of the Panzer has been in print now since May 7th, 2008 and sales are strong.
If you are interested, you can find several links to book reviews on the "Reviews" section of this website.
So far, only one review has been "mixed." All others are very positive. In reality, even the "mixed" review is quite favorable. The reviewer compares my book to Steven Ambrose's Band of Brothers (I take that as a high compliment!) and admits that he/she is not inclined toward histories written in that style. Hey, I'm okay with that!
I have made a few local talks so far.
If you live in the area and are interested, here are a list of some of my upcoming activities that you my want to attend:
July 12th, 2008 from 1 to 3 P.M., I have been invited to hold a book signing at the Waldenbooks at the Indian Mound Mall in Heath, Ohio.
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:30 P.M., I will talk about my research at the Robbins Hunter Museum (221 E. Broadway) in Granville, Ohio
for the "Art for War's Sake" lecture series sponsored by Denison University and the Granville Historical Society.
More to come later...
Jeff Danby
9:45 AM, July 1st, 2008
I apologize for the delay since the last post. Much has been happening. The big news is that today (May 7th, 2008) Casemate received the first shipment of books from the printer. This means the book is OFFICIALLY in print. If you have ordered books, expect them to be shipped to you shortly. (My order is being shipped to me on Monday.)
About two or three weeks ago, Casemate sent out some "advance review copies" (ARCs) to their long list of book reviewers. Normally, the ARCs are sent out two or three months before the print run to allow for advance publicity. With the book clubs on board , Casemate didn't see any reason to delay the print run any longer. They know that many of you have been waiting long enough!
Jeff Danby
9:31 PM, May 7th, 2008
I've been informed by Casemate that Day of the Panzer is being sent to the printer today. It should hit the shelves toward the end of April.
I'll keep you informed of further news...
Jeff Danby
2:55 PM, March 28th, 2008
Day of the Panzer is now expected to be released in April. Just a few more weeks of waiting...
There is a very good reason for this one last delay...
Day of the Panzer will be named as a main selection in both the Military and History Book Clubs. Casemate tells me that this will substantially boost the size of the initial print run. To have a book featured as a main selection by the book clubs is a tremendous honor--given that hundreds of military book titles are launched each month. As an author, I couldn't be happier!
Jeff Danby
4:50 PM, March 19th, 2008
The final cover is now complete (see above). Casemate sent me an image today. I think it is a great visual presentation--far more intriguing than the original concept. Casemate is very pleased with it as well. Now the book is complete and ready for the presses.
That's the good news...
However...
Much has been happening on the marketing end. So much so that, ironically, Casemate may hold off the presses just a wee bit longer...
This could mean that the release date may be pushed back a couple more weeks yet again. This delay would allow Casemate to do a proper "full court press" upon release. Apparently, they have some plans in the works that would substantially increase the size of the first print run. This is not good news if you have been waiting patiently all these months (as I have!) But it is good news in all other respects.
Casemate is committed to seeing that this is a very successful book and they only have one shot at making a big splash.
I'm 100% behind the idea of doing a proper release. What does this mean in terms of time? I'm not sure yet. It may mean later in March or early April. Or it could mean nothing, and the book hits the presses a week from now.
Casemate will be in a better position shortly. I will try and post some updated news next week.
Thanks for hanging in there with me!
Jeff Danby
9:30 PM, February 29th, 2008
Day of the Panzer is scheduled to hit the presses in about two weeks. A wonderfully detailed index has been added, and Casemate has redesigned the cover. Images of the new cover should be available shortly. When I receive these images, I will immediately post them. I signed off of the final draft about two weeks ago. The layout looks great. I was even asked to create an additional map--so there are now 13 total maps in the book. Every place name mentioned in the text can be found on one of the maps. You will also enjoy the appendix.
Again, I apologize for the delays from our original September 2007 target date, but the wait is well worth it!
Jeff Danby
1:20 AM, February 21st, 2008
Welcome to my website!
As many of you know, Day of the Panzer has been delayed from the original September 19th, 2007 release date. I apologize to everyone for this glitch--especially those who were counting on Day of the Panzer as Christmas gifts. My book release was pushed back a few months due to several summer projects that Casemate needed to complete before turning their attention to me.
Have no fear! We are close!
For the past six weeks or so, I have been working very closely with the editor. We have been carefully going through the book from cover to cover and I can tell you that the final product is well worth the wait! Though the story remains unchanged, the narrative is tighter and the design is more inviting. I am very pleased with the way Casemate has improved this book.
A few more weeks is all that is needed....
I will keep you informed here.
Jeff Danby
5:00 PM, December 29th, 2007