Moltke and the German Wars, 1864-1871

by Arden Bucholz

Overview

The Prussian army invented modern war processes, and Helmuth von Moltke (1800 - 1891) was the first modern war planner. His accomplishment was to develop, bring to fruition and validate the war processes invented during his lifetime. In this book, Bucholz examines Moltke's work and the processes he utilised in each of the three wars of German unification: against Denmark (1864), Austria (1865) and France (1870-71).

Moltke's achievements have become a legacy for modern military strategists. The procedures he developed have been used in all of the wars of the twentieth century - the Persian Gulf War of 1991 may be its most interesting example - beacuse they respond to the size, space, time and technology mandates of industrial mass warfare. This book describes and analyzes these developments in a unique way, by using organisational, knowledge and learning theory, by looking closely at Moltke's life as a professional soldier and by bringing little-known research in the field to a wider audience.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780333687574
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	05/18/2001
Series:	European History in Perspective , #10
Edition description:	2001
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.60(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

ARDEN BUCHOLZ is Professor of History at the State University of New York.
ARDEN BUCHOLZ is Professor of History at the State University of New York.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements
Introduction: Prussia: War, Theory and History
Napoleon's Legacy and the Prussian Invention
Helmuth von Moltke, 1800-1857
Moltke and the Prussian System, 1857-1863
The Danish War, 1864
The Austrian War, 1866
The French War, 1870-71
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

...all will benefit from this informative, thoughtful, and careful blend of analysis and narrative.' - Choice

'This book is important because it demonstrates that multiple efforts produced German unification.' - Journal of Military History

'This is a masterful book that presents Moltke in a new perspective and argues a compelling case...' - Andrew R. Carlson, German Studies Review

Editorial Reviews

Bucholz (State U. of New York, Brockport) examines the military strategy of the Prussian commander Helmuth von Moltke. The volume begins with a discussion of the legacy of Napoleon as a strategist and a biography of Moltke. The bulk of the text describes and analyzes the history of Moltke's campaigns, with particular attention to his ability to organize and disseminate information on a wide scale. Bucholz contends he has applied organizational, knowledge and learning theory to his study, but those interested in military history as a story will find this written in a simple narrative style. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

"This is a masterful book that presents Moltke in a new perspective and argues a compelling case...."--Andrew R. Carlson, German Studies Review
..".all will benefit from this informative, thoughtful, and careful blend of analysis and narrative."-- Choice

From the Publisher