Using a selection of contemporary photographs – supported by some modern photographs of preserved vehicles – Pat Ware sets the modern tank in a historical context. He describes its origins in Britain and its development and deployment in the Second World War and in the post-war period. All the British tanks that have seen service since the war are depicted, among them the Conqueror, Chieftain, Centurion and Challenger. The engineers' tanks – the flails, recovery vehicles, bridge-layers – are featured, as are the less-well-known British tanks made for export. This highly illustrated survey gives a fascinating insight into the recent evolution of the British tank and its role in the post-war world. ILLUSTRATIONS: 150 photos