This book begins with a study of the background of the Kursk salient and a description of events on the eastern front before the opening of the offensive. The strategic importance of the Kursk is considered as well as the factors that caused the Germans to delay their offensive. The Soviet's extensive defensive preparations are covered in depth, as is the strength of both sides and the new equipment such as the Panther tank that the Germans were using for the first time. Kursk shows how a bitter struggle developed between the German and Soviet forces which sucked in huge numbers of tanks and men into a small area, so that it became the greatest armored battle of the war.