The first volume, A History of the American Light Tank , documents the development of light armored vehicles from their early beginning in WWI to the end of WWII. This second volume traces not only the development of the light tank, but also its transition from a lightly armored vehicle supporting infantry to its current in extremis role for the Army's early entry forces. The centerpiece is the M551, General Sheridan, armored reconnaissance/airborne assault vehicle a 16-ton tank that could swim, fire missile and caseless conventional ammunition from the same stabilized gun-launcher system, and be delivered to the combat area by parachute. Profusely illustrated, mostly in b&w, with some color. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.