“Knights Cross of the Iron Cross and its Higher Grades" - Dietrich Maerz

[RaymondG]

Released in October 2007, the book is the first offering from the author Dietrich Maerz.

The book covers in great detail all licensed makers of the Knights Cross, the Oakleaves, the Oakleaves with Swords and the Grand Cross, as well as the makers of the "Diamonds" and the "Golden Diamonds". Additional chapters concentrate the different cases and documents for these high end awards.

Further to this, discussions about the LDO, the Präsidialkanzlei, fakes and the immediate post-war activities complete the study on these awards.

The appendix in the book provides the reader with manufacturer data, award graphs and other useful information.

So, what Dietrich has brought to the market is most complete picture of the Knights Cross available today.

The book weighs in with at a hefty 430 pages, containing 500 images, the majority of which are in colour. I have attached a couple of images to show the quality of the material and its clarity.

A common complaint from militaria collectors regarding reference books is that there is a demand for good quality, clear colour photographs that is lacking in the marketplace. I think you will agree from the attached images that Dietrich has clearly thought very carefully about the book and set out to make the ultimate book on the Knights Cross. He has clearly put a great deal of effort into the production of the book and that is abundantly apparent through the quality of the end product.

Given the sample pages attached, the members can make up their own mind, but if you want to really study about the RK in one comprehensive and detailed book then you should not look further. I am confident that in years to come the book will be seen on many bookshelves of collectors throughout the world and be regarded as the definitive tome on the Knights Cross and its variants.

Specification & Order Details:

Title: “Knights Cross of the Iron Cross and its Higher Grades”


Author: Dietrich Maerz
Published by: B&D Publishing LLC
Binding: Hardback & Special Editions
Pages: 430
Price: $124.95 - standard, $165 for the limited edition and $225 for the exclusive leather bound edition.
For more information visit: http://www.ironcross1939.com/

[stgeorge64]

Although my personal interest is with that of the fighting soldiers of the Wehrmacht who were the recipients of the Ritterkreuz and its higher awards, I still decided to purchase a copy of the book in question.

Although I will almost certainly not own one of these items (only in my dreams) in person, I was still drawn to the idea of purchasing the book as a kind of substitute.

Well, the book arrived yesterday and I have to say that from a point of view of myself who acknowledges that I will probably never own a Ritterkreuz, it is a highly impressive piece.

The level of detail and research is absoloutly astonishing in every single aspect of the award. The high quality of photographic reproduction has I think, in this book reached new heights. The exhaustive detail really has to be seen to be believed.

In todays market there is a myriad of books on offer concerning specialist aspects of the German involvement of WWII and in my opinion very few of them compare with this one.

10 out of 10 from where I sit, and it is worth every penny.

Regards Richard.

[Bob Wirtz]

Richard,

The pictures are so nice in this book, you can just cut one out and stick it in a display case and claim you have a Knight's Cross!

Bob