Table of Contents
List of Maps vii
List of Illustrations viii
Preface x
Acknowledgements xii
1 Hereditary Enemies? 1
The Pendulum of Conquest 1
The Peace Settlement of 1815 2
The Ferment of Nationalism 3
Napoleon III Takes Power 5
Broken Dreams of German Unity 7
A Franco-German Crisis, 1859 9
2 Prussia Conquers North Germany 13
Prussian Army Reform 13
Bismarck Comes to Power 15
Bismarck Confronts Austria 18
Napoleon III Watches the Rhine 20
A Battle in Bohemia 22
Germany Reshaped 24
3 Dark Clouds on the Horizon 28
The French Search for 'Compensation' 28
The Luxembourg Affair 30
French Army Reform 37
Moltke is Ready 41
France Lives on her Military Heritage 45
The South German Question 50
4 The Crisis 53
The Liberal Empire 53
Spanish Complications 56
'The Devil is Loose at Paris' 60
The Declaration of War 67
5 The Armies Mobilize 70
German Mobilization 70
French Mobilization 73
6 The Invasion of Alsace 79
Wissembourg 79
Fræschwiller 83
The Retreat 95
7 The Empire Totters 100
Power Changes Hands 100
The Châlons Conference 104
The Beleaguered Army 107
8 The Army of Châlons 111
An Improvised Army 111
The Die is Cast 113
The March to the East 116
9 The Path of the Invader 120
The Conflict Deepens 120
The Germans Wheel North 124
10 Hunter and Hunted 129
Nouart 129
Beaumont 131
The Retreat to Sedan 137
The Pursuit 141
11 Battle 146
Fighting Begins at Bazeilles 146
French Changes in Command 148
The End in Bazeilles 150
The Battle Spreads Northwards 155
The Trap Closes 158
The Ring of Fire 161
The Cavalry Charges 164
The French Collapse 167
Death Throes 169
Ceasefire 173
12 Aftermath 176
Capitulation 176
Death, Wounds and Imprisonment 180
Departures 183
Recrimination and Memory in France 185
Conclusion 190
Appendix: Order of Battle 195
Notes 206
Bibliography 219
Index 231
