Iron and Blood: A Military History of the German-Speaking Peoples since 1500

Name: Iron and Blood: A Military History of the German-Speaking Peoples since 1500
Price: 30.60 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.6 (77 reviews)

4.6 of 5 Stars: Europe - Iron and Blood: A Military History of the German-Speaking Peoples since 1500

$30.60

Buying Options

Description

Book Synopsis: From the author of the acclaimed The Thirty Years War and Heart of Europe, a masterful, landmark reappraisal of German military history, and of the preconceptions about German militarism since before the rise of Prussia and the world wars.German military history is typically viewed as an inexorable march to the rise of Prussia and the two world wars, the road paved by militarism and the result a specifically German way of war. Peter Wilson challenges this narrative. Looking beyond Prussia to German-speaking Europe across the last five centuries, Wilson finds little unique or preordained in German militarism or warfighting.Iron and Blood takes as its starting point the consolidation of the Holy Roman Empire, which created new mechanisms for raising troops but also for resolving disputes diplomatically. Both the empire and the Swiss Confederation were largely defensive in orientation, while German participation in foreign wars was most often in partnership with allies. The primary aggressor in Central Europe was not Prussia but the Austrian Habsburg monarchy, yet Austria’s strength owed much to its ability to secure allies. Prussia, meanwhile, invested in militarization but maintained a part-time army well into the nineteenth century. Alongside Switzerland, which relied on traditional militia, both states exemplify the longstanding civilian element within German military power.Only after Prussia’s unexpected victory over France in 1871 did Germans and outsiders come to believe in a German gift for warfare—a special capacity for high-speed, high-intensity combat that could overcome numerical disadvantage. It took two world wars to expose the fallacy of German military genius. Yet even today, Wilson argues, Germany’s strategic position is misunderstood. The country now seen as a bastion of peace spends heavily on defense in comparison to its peers and is deeply invested in less kinetic contemporary forms of coercive power.

Details

Introducing Iron and Blood: A Military History of the German-Speaking Peoples since 1500, an extraordinary book that challenges conventional wisdom and redefines our understanding of German militarism. From acclaimed author Peter Wilson, known for his research on The Thirty Years War and Heart of Europe, this landmark reappraisal takes you on a captivating journey through five centuries of German military history.

Forget what you thought you knew about German militarism. Iron and Blood offers a fresh perspective that unveils a fascinating truth: it wasn't solely Prussia that shaped German military power. Wilson reveals that German-speaking Europe, including the Holy Roman Empire and the Swiss Confederation, were primarily defensive and often fought in partnership with allies. Austria, not Prussia, was the primary aggressor in Central Europe, showcasing the complex dynamics of German military influence.

However, the German gift for warfare, often associated with high-speed, high-intensity combat, didn't emerge until Prussia's unexpected victory over France in 1871. Iron and Blood delves into the fallacy of German military genius, exposing the truth through the trials of two devastating world wars. Wilson's meticulous research debunks myths while shedding light on Germany's strategic position and its investment in modern forms of coercive power.

This groundbreaking book is a must-read for history enthusiasts, military strategists, and anyone looking to challenge their preconceived notions. Discover the untold stories, the hidden alliances, and the remarkable resilience of the German-speaking peoples. Are you ready to rewrite history? Join us on this extraordinary journey with Iron and Blood: A Military History of the German-Speaking Peoples since 1500.

Ready to delve into the captivating world of German military history? Don't miss out on this remarkable book that redefines our understanding of German militarism. Grab your copy of Iron and Blood: A Military History of the German-Speaking Peoples since 1500 today and unlock the secrets of centuries gone by. Click here to order now!

See All Buying Options...

More Details...