Synopsis

The Prussian Army invented the systems of modern war, and Helmuth von Moltke was the first modern war planner. His accomplishment was to develop, bring to fruition and validate--in the three wars of German unification against Denmark (1864), Austria (1865), and France (1870-71)--the war processes invented during his lifetime. These processes have been used in all modern 20th-century wars because they respond to the size, space, time, and technology mandates of industrial mass warfare. This book describes and analyzes these developments as an aspect of Moltke's life as a professional soldier.

Booknews

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)

Biography

Arden Bucholz is Professor of History at the State University of New York, College at Brockport.