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Team Yankee
Team Yankee
During the second half of the 20th century, East and West stood on the brink of war. Nowhere was this more evident than in Central Germany, where 10,000 tanks belonging to NATO stood ready to resist a ground attack spearheaded by 40,000 Warsaw Pact tanks. It was a war that never was. But what if it had? How would the opening days of World War III played out?
Team Yankee, the New York Times best-seller by Harold Coyle, presents a glimpse of what it would have been like for the soldiers who would have had to meet the relentless onslaught of Soviet and Warsaw Pact divisions. Using the geo-political and military scenarios described by General Sir John Hackett, former NORTHAG commander and author of World War Three; August 1985, Team Yankee follows the war as seen from the turret of Captain Sean Bannon's tank.
Through Bannon's eyes, and those of the men belonging to his tank heavy combat team, the listener lives through the first 14 days of World War III. The action is vivid and exciting, the tension palpable. Defeat and death are as close as victory.
Team Yankee, the New York Times best-seller by Harold Coyle, presents a glimpse of what it would have been like for the soldiers who would have had to meet the relentless onslaught of Soviet and Warsaw Pact divisions. Using the geo-political and military scenarios described by General Sir John Hackett, former NORTHAG commander and author of World War Three; August 1985, Team Yankee follows the war as seen from the turret of Captain Sean Bannon's tank.
Through Bannon's eyes, and those of the men belonging to his tank heavy combat team, the listener lives through the first 14 days of World War III. The action is vivid and exciting, the tension palpable. Defeat and death are as close as victory.
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First published August 1, 1987
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About the author
Harold Coyle
44 books249 followersHarold Coyle is an American author of historical, speculative fiction and war novels including Team Yankee, a New York Times best-seller.He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1974 and spent seventeen years on active duty with the U.S. Army.He lives in Leavenworth, Kansas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 285 reviews
December 19, 2016
This book was written around the time I was a "19 Echo," that is an armored crewman. Though I was never 'killing Russians" (that was our motto back then) the story sure brought back memories of my training and reason for enlisting. "GUNNER-SABO-TANK!" said a lot in those three words; of course you need to read the book to understand.
The comment of a guy being so tired he sounded like a 45 being played at 33 speed shows the age of the book.
Just as many today have no idea how close we were to war during the Cuban Missile Crisis they have no idea how real the threat was of a Russian/Warsaw Pact invasion of western Europe was back then, hence the development of the Neutron bomb.
Although the story is pretty factual as far as the technicalities of being in a tank back then, it is just a story. It makes exciting reading from start to finish, even the part about the military dependents who were caught up in the war zone.
On the other hand, the true horror of war was only briefly touched upon, which makes war seem glamorous to us who don't really know better until it is too late. It is sort of like the first time I climbed inside a tank. I had a moment of claustrophobia as I thought, "If a shell comes through this armor, I have no place to hide. What have I gotten myself into?"
The comment of a guy being so tired he sounded like a 45 being played at 33 speed shows the age of the book.
Just as many today have no idea how close we were to war during the Cuban Missile Crisis they have no idea how real the threat was of a Russian/Warsaw Pact invasion of western Europe was back then, hence the development of the Neutron bomb.
Although the story is pretty factual as far as the technicalities of being in a tank back then, it is just a story. It makes exciting reading from start to finish, even the part about the military dependents who were caught up in the war zone.
On the other hand, the true horror of war was only briefly touched upon, which makes war seem glamorous to us who don't really know better until it is too late. It is sort of like the first time I climbed inside a tank. I had a moment of claustrophobia as I thought, "If a shell comes through this armor, I have no place to hide. What have I gotten myself into?"
September 16, 2011
The war that never happened...but seemed ready to for 30 plus years. East Germany and West Germany spark the action. This brings about the confrontation that was long feared, the United States vs. the Soviet Union WWIII. Again (I've said this before about other books) the phrase 'I enjoyed it" seems inappropriate in a novel about WWIII. We see the "war" fought from platoon level and follow the soldiers in said platoon. If you like techno-thrillers, action, military fiction or speculative works like alternate history then this is a good one.
I can recommend it.
I can recommend it.
October 2, 2007
Harold Coyle's first novel, and one of his best. This follows a mechanized infantry company in action during the fictional stages of World War III in central Germany during 1985. A good group of characters that have a range of physical and emotional experiences. His narrative is much more balanced between technicial military details and character development. Later books dwell in more detail on the people than the military aspects of events.
September 5, 2022
Coyle paints a realistic, gritty and non-patronizing portrait of both American and Russian tank men and soldiers. I especially liked the way he built the story around Hackett's own speculative fictional account of the Third World War, refusing to engage the reader with too much information of the global perspective of the conflict but rather zooms in to the boos on the ground -- or more aptly, the treads on the mud. I've been rereading this book often, much to my poor paperback's chagrin. Maybe its time to buy the hardback -- the story is sure worth it!
September 25, 2023
This was a fascinating book to read since it was written in the late 80s a time I remember well growing up and which often had the shadow of hostilities at every corner (looking back sadly when was there a time when this shadow didn't exist). AS such many of the thoughts and images depicted in this story were nightmare scenarios that all too often played across our imagination and fiction.
Sadly it seems times have not changed even if borders and allegiances have as such this is as much a slice of historic fiction as it military - as seen all too readily now - although the style and tactics may have changed the image on human life is still the same.
So yes a very technical story and one I do not doubt which has been impeccably researched and delivered it still has an impact on the read - and as one who has had family in the forces it certainly makes you wonder what could have been
Sadly it seems times have not changed even if borders and allegiances have as such this is as much a slice of historic fiction as it military - as seen all too readily now - although the style and tactics may have changed the image on human life is still the same.
So yes a very technical story and one I do not doubt which has been impeccably researched and delivered it still has an impact on the read - and as one who has had family in the forces it certainly makes you wonder what could have been
February 4, 2017
I'm an old tanker, and I love this book. Very down to earth from the gun-sight point of view, especially since I was in that exact same position while stationed in Germany back in the 80's.
Like almost all of Coyle's writing except some of his newer work. It started getting too big and just seems to lose touch with 'the soldier's' war.
Like almost all of Coyle's writing except some of his newer work. It started getting too big and just seems to lose touch with 'the soldier's' war.
April 8, 2015
I have read this book no less than 30 times and listened to the abridged book on tape many more. This is typical early Coyle where a typical US Army training exercise is put into the context of a real war. Sword Point was NTC and Bright Star was, well, Bright Star. This was a typical CMTC rotation put inside the universe created by Hackett's books. As an honest to god M1 tanker, this book traveled with me on every field problem or deployment. Might be hard to comprehend if you can't picture what he is writing about. Of course there is cliche and stereotypical portrayal of the Soviet Army, but this is the best modern tank novel. Period. Sword Point, when Coyle tries to get overly creative and starts to go down hill. Best part of this book is the "shop talk" and language used is real, not some Hollywood writers idea of how soldiers talk. If you are an M1 tanker and haven't read this, shame on you.
May 22, 2010
The first and the best cause I knew what I faced in Europe and the civilians in the states didn't.
June 20, 2014
When I was a teenager I liked reading military fiction about World War III. Harold Coyle's "Team Yankee" is one of the titles I have always remembered. It's about an American tank team in Germany when WWIII breaks out. There's some hints as to why the conflict has kicked off but if you want a book about that read "Cardinal of the Kremlin". This book is about young men in tanks trying to kill other young men in tanks. The battlefields are chemical and nuclear wastelands. The action is sudden and brutal.
It's something of a spiritual successor to Elstob's "Warriors for the Working Day".
I don't read much military fiction anymore but back in the late 80s I thought this book rocked. :)
Carac
May 6, 2015
A WWIII novel that didn't age well. Plus, writing style leaves much to be desired. Author obviously knows his way around tanks, AFVs and combat organization. Writing, less so. Too much tell, too little show.
September 21, 2009
A tense and grinding novel - now outdated, of course - about a Warsaw Pact blitz against western Europe, following the experiences of an American Army tank unit. More realistic and less glamorized and Rambo-ized than most military fiction; you get the feeling that this author has actually spent some time being cold, wet, hungry, tired, dirty, and scared. Superior to Tom Clancy's stuff, IMHO, for two reasons, equally important - the characters are more rounded and developed, and there's a more accurate portrait of the way things go wrong amid the fog and friction of war - things often go wrong.
September 9, 2017
A good read though somewhat marred by the two-dimensional portrayal of the Soviet forces, being portrayed invariably as slow-witted, lacking in military skill or inept.
A willingness to admit that the Warsaw pact forces were formidable and equal to NATO capabilities would have made for a far more interesting and exciting read.
A willingness to admit that the Warsaw pact forces were formidable and equal to NATO capabilities would have made for a far more interesting and exciting read.
February 4, 2008
Written by a VMI grad ... one of the best bits of mordern armored warfare ever written; on par with Red Storm Rising, if not better than.
August 10, 2008
One of my favorite books of all time.
August 3, 2013
One of the best works of fiction ever written about armored combat.
August 20, 2017
Fun cold war read
It was a good and engaging book despite a few typos. Reminded me of growing up in the cold war in the 80s. Not a balanced book to be sure but a fun read.
It was a good and engaging book despite a few typos. Reminded me of growing up in the cold war in the 80s. Not a balanced book to be sure but a fun read.
October 4, 2015
Team Yankee certainly ranks as one of the best novels concerning armored warfare. Don't let the fact that the book describes fictional WWIII engagements between Soviets and American forces confuse you. Harold Coyle, an Army veteran himself, thoroughly grounds his writing in the doctrine and real world thinking of the US military from the time period. The book does not attempt to describe the diplomatic events leading up to the outbreak of war or the strategic plans pursued by each side. Instead Team Yankee follows the story of one American armor-infantry team as it fights through WWIII.
Coyle succeeds in describing the team's tactical engagements with clarity and brevity. By using the very same doctrinal terms that he learned as an Armor officer in the United States Military, he builds a picture many times more vivid than the vignettes of other WWIII authors. And in instances when words could fall short, Coyle also provides simple sketches of tactical situations in NATO symbols. The result is not just another war story. Team Yankee is a collection of tactical vignettes that are substantive enough to be worthy of closer inspection. Is the selection of an inverted wedge for Team Yankee's advance correct? How effectively does the team react to direct fire contact? Readers, especially readers with military experience, will find themselves asking these questions as they ride along with Team Yankee. And they will not always come to the same conclusions regarding Team Yankee's performance, which makes for a rich reading experience.
Although Team Yankee is not just one, long combat narrative. The book's other aspects make it into a more well-rounded novel about the military experience in WWIII. Coyle devotes a substantial amount of time describing what many of the Team's civilian dependents (spouses & children) underwent during their evacuation from Germany. Coyle goes so far as to write about the lack of preparation for such a task, noting that the Army had not spent a penny preparing the spouses for their harrowing experience. The narrative also tracks the changes and development the team's members undergo as they fight an incredibly modern and incredibly destructive war. Those who survive are indelibly changed, and not always for the better. Team Yankee remains a war novel, but these other aspects help to make the book more well rounded.
My only criticism is that I sometimes found the book's protagonist and Yankee Team's leader, CPT Bannon, a bit immature. Bannon harbors great resentment for his superior, LTC Reynolds, and most of the battalion's staff. While understandable to a certain extent, Bannon often dwells on his feelings and expresses them in ways probably just a little too immature for a company team leader. He often serves as a negative influence during staff meetings and at one point broods over how his battalion commander probably works for the Russians after receiving a fairly reasonable order. One could probably attribute much of this to the combat stress Bannon endures throughout the book, but I found his immaturity just a little to great at times.
Other than that small complaint, I found the book to be thoroughly satisfying. A couple of my friends have begun to read it, and I look forward to discussing it with them.
Coyle succeeds in describing the team's tactical engagements with clarity and brevity. By using the very same doctrinal terms that he learned as an Armor officer in the United States Military, he builds a picture many times more vivid than the vignettes of other WWIII authors. And in instances when words could fall short, Coyle also provides simple sketches of tactical situations in NATO symbols. The result is not just another war story. Team Yankee is a collection of tactical vignettes that are substantive enough to be worthy of closer inspection. Is the selection of an inverted wedge for Team Yankee's advance correct? How effectively does the team react to direct fire contact? Readers, especially readers with military experience, will find themselves asking these questions as they ride along with Team Yankee. And they will not always come to the same conclusions regarding Team Yankee's performance, which makes for a rich reading experience.
Although Team Yankee is not just one, long combat narrative. The book's other aspects make it into a more well-rounded novel about the military experience in WWIII. Coyle devotes a substantial amount of time describing what many of the Team's civilian dependents (spouses & children) underwent during their evacuation from Germany. Coyle goes so far as to write about the lack of preparation for such a task, noting that the Army had not spent a penny preparing the spouses for their harrowing experience. The narrative also tracks the changes and development the team's members undergo as they fight an incredibly modern and incredibly destructive war. Those who survive are indelibly changed, and not always for the better. Team Yankee remains a war novel, but these other aspects help to make the book more well rounded.
My only criticism is that I sometimes found the book's protagonist and Yankee Team's leader, CPT Bannon, a bit immature. Bannon harbors great resentment for his superior, LTC Reynolds, and most of the battalion's staff. While understandable to a certain extent, Bannon often dwells on his feelings and expresses them in ways probably just a little too immature for a company team leader. He often serves as a negative influence during staff meetings and at one point broods over how his battalion commander probably works for the Russians after receiving a fairly reasonable order. One could probably attribute much of this to the combat stress Bannon endures throughout the book, but I found his immaturity just a little to great at times.
Other than that small complaint, I found the book to be thoroughly satisfying. A couple of my friends have begun to read it, and I look forward to discussing it with them.
July 15, 2018
I gave up about halfway through. This book is all about decision and maneuver and literally nothing else. "And then commander Bannon fought enemy, discussed this and decided that". "And then cavalry battallion fought enemy, got pounded hard, and retreated". LITERALLY LIKE THAT. What, where, who, how, why, that's irrelevant. Book never tells us anything.
If you come to this book not knowing about difference between SABOT and HEAT tank rounds, don't expect to learn them from the book. All you will learn that both were instensively used. Early in the book, GB gas is used against NATO forces. A soldier dies. It's a blood agent and it's eating through gas mask filters. Interesting, eh? Want to know more? Not a chance.
That's all you will ever learn about such exotic nightmare weapon of Cold War. Or any other weaponry/technology used.
What does it exactly do, what does victim feel, who the victim was, what really happened, nothing gets as little as a line of description. It feels more like a DRAFT for a novel rather than a novel. Perhaps publishers printed the wrong thing? You will get no idea of the geography, forces, weapons and capabilities of any actor in battle scenes. Just "and then they fought and one side won". We're supposed to cheer for a crew of command tank, and halfway into the book, I don't even know the type of the tank, let alone anything about the people inside.
I'm not sure where praise and high ratings for this book come from, I've personally never read a novel that dry and dull. As some reviewer said, it's a SITREP, not a novel. If that's the best Harold Coyle could do, he isn't much a writer.
In fact, my short review has probably more detail and depth than this entire book. Harold Coyle would probably settled with "and book was bad and not interesting".
If you come to this book not knowing about difference between SABOT and HEAT tank rounds, don't expect to learn them from the book. All you will learn that both were instensively used. Early in the book, GB gas is used against NATO forces. A soldier dies. It's a blood agent and it's eating through gas mask filters. Interesting, eh? Want to know more? Not a chance.
That's all you will ever learn about such exotic nightmare weapon of Cold War. Or any other weaponry/technology used.
What does it exactly do, what does victim feel, who the victim was, what really happened, nothing gets as little as a line of description. It feels more like a DRAFT for a novel rather than a novel. Perhaps publishers printed the wrong thing? You will get no idea of the geography, forces, weapons and capabilities of any actor in battle scenes. Just "and then they fought and one side won". We're supposed to cheer for a crew of command tank, and halfway into the book, I don't even know the type of the tank, let alone anything about the people inside.
I'm not sure where praise and high ratings for this book come from, I've personally never read a novel that dry and dull. As some reviewer said, it's a SITREP, not a novel. If that's the best Harold Coyle could do, he isn't much a writer.
In fact, my short review has probably more detail and depth than this entire book. Harold Coyle would probably settled with "and book was bad and not interesting".
September 5, 2018
I'm a sucker for Cold War gone Hot novels. To my limited ability to judge, very few people can criticize the relative accuracy of how Coyle approaches armored combat,
I also appreciated the portrayal of a mixture of exhaustion, confusion and trauma that he evokes in combat and in between the action. Its a book of moments and I think if it'd stayed true to maintaining a singular, narrow viewpoint it with a little background to the various characters it could have really shined, not just as a military romp, but as a full story. But instead, it walks an uncomfortable middle ground of occasionally giving views to other major groups/characters, but shies away from giving any extra depth and leaving awkward loose ends.
I also appreciated the portrayal of a mixture of exhaustion, confusion and trauma that he evokes in combat and in between the action. Its a book of moments and I think if it'd stayed true to maintaining a singular, narrow viewpoint it with a little background to the various characters it could have really shined, not just as a military romp, but as a full story. But instead, it walks an uncomfortable middle ground of occasionally giving views to other major groups/characters, but shies away from giving any extra depth and leaving awkward loose ends.
November 6, 2015
This is a World War III scenario book from the perspective of a Tank Commander. Coyle doesn't spend much time building it up, he has about a page and a half of press releases describing the escalation and them bam the war has started. I didn't mind because the political side of the war is not what the book is about.
It definitely reminds me of Red Storm Rising by Tom Clancy, but it is very different in the way it tells the story. It follows the tank company through their various engagements and from what I have been told it is very accurate.
Great book, and it is a pretty short read.
It definitely reminds me of Red Storm Rising by Tom Clancy, but it is very different in the way it tells the story. It follows the tank company through their various engagements and from what I have been told it is very accurate.
Great book, and it is a pretty short read.
September 3, 2015
It is Cold War dated but we'll done
Accurately depicts the possible ground conflict in Europe during the Cold War and how the tank heavy forces would engage. In retrospect it understates the first hit and single shot kill poet of the Abrams sabot round based on the Middle East. The action is non stop and the character are well developed.
It contains more typos than my old print version, but that's my only gripe.
Accurately depicts the possible ground conflict in Europe during the Cold War and how the tank heavy forces would engage. In retrospect it understates the first hit and single shot kill poet of the Abrams sabot round based on the Middle East. The action is non stop and the character are well developed.
It contains more typos than my old print version, but that's my only gripe.
March 25, 2021
Boken følger kompanisjef Bannon gjennom en 10+ dager lang krig Europa.
Gode perspektiver gjennom Bannon på alt fra taktikk, ledelse, krig generelt og mennekser generelt.
Anbefales for alle som jobber på kompaninivå (trsj/kp) siden den er ganske detaljrik på dette nivået.
Gode perspektiver gjennom Bannon på alt fra taktikk, ledelse, krig generelt og mennekser generelt.
Anbefales for alle som jobber på kompaninivå (trsj/kp) siden den er ganske detaljrik på dette nivået.
August 9, 2008
1st book that I read of Mr. Coyles.
I was a tank Cmdr in Schweinfurt, FRG 2d Plt, Co. D, 3/64th Armor, 1st Bde, 3d ID.
WoW!
Just like what I thought it would be to fight the Russians.
I was a tank Cmdr in Schweinfurt, FRG 2d Plt, Co. D, 3/64th Armor, 1st Bde, 3d ID.
WoW!
Just like what I thought it would be to fight the Russians.
April 26, 2009
Wow! I recall being impressed by this account of ground combat from a tanker grunt p.o.v.
August 14, 2011
An amazing work of military fiction. Coyle sets the standard for military based fiction.
October 7, 2011
I've read it multiple times and have always enjoyed it.
June 14, 2012
One of my all-time favorite books! Full of grit, guts, and heart.
March 23, 2013
What so many books try to do, but fail! Superb story of modern warfare.
December 22, 2013
Great read. Fast paced and full of action.
August 2, 2022
This book is for someone who wants to read about American tanks blowing things up during World War 3 without the use of nuclear weapons. If you like to read about detailed tank tactics and America being great, you will love this book.
The protagonist is a squad of M1 Abrams tank, supported by TOW missile vehicles and anti-tank infantry. The enemy is the Soviet Union, who are invading West Germany in the late 1980s. Harold Coyle is smart enough not to bother with writing character-based action; because truthfully the vast majority of military fiction authors do not know how to create compelling characters. There is no Tom Clancy-style cringe where a special-forces guy suddenly takes out a handgun and shoots a bunch of stuff to make the woman he's with feel safer (this happened in a John Clark novel). It's cool tank battles through and throughout.
The only problem I had with this book is the ending, where
The protagonist is a squad of M1 Abrams tank, supported by TOW missile vehicles and anti-tank infantry. The enemy is the Soviet Union, who are invading West Germany in the late 1980s. Harold Coyle is smart enough not to bother with writing character-based action; because truthfully the vast majority of military fiction authors do not know how to create compelling characters. There is no Tom Clancy-style cringe where a special-forces guy suddenly takes out a handgun and shoots a bunch of stuff to make the woman he's with feel safer (this happened in a John Clark novel). It's cool tank battles through and throughout.
The only problem I had with this book is the ending, where
Displaying 1 - 30 of 285 reviews