Iron and Blood
A Military History of the German-speaking Peoples Since 1500
By Peter H. Wilson | Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
About the book
*WINNER OF THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON MEDAL FOR MILITARY HISTORY*
*A DAILY TELEGRAPH BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022*
'No one interested in the history of Europe can afford not to read this stupendous book' Simon Heffer, Daily Telegraph
'Endlessly fascinating ... History has returned to Europe, and Iron and Blood is an excellent place to start getting reacquainted with it' The Times
From the acclaimed author of Europe's Tragedy and The Holy Roman Empire, a powerful account of German-speaking Europe through five centuries of military history
For most of its existence German-speaking Europe has been splintered into innumerable states - some substantial (such as Austria and Prussia) and some consisting of just a few Alpine meadows. Its military experience has also been extraordinarily varied: threatened and threatening; a mere buffer-zone, and a global threat.
Iron and Blood is a startlingly ambitious and absorbing book. It encompasses five centuries of political, military, technological and economic change to tell the story of the German-speaking lands, from the Rhine to the Balkan frontier, from Switzerland to the North Sea. Wilson's narrative considers everything from weapons development to recruitment to battlefield strategy. Germans' military impact on the rest of Europe has been immense. If there is one constant it has been the sense of being beset by seemingly more powerful enemies - France or Russia or Turkey - and the need to strike a rapid knockout blow to ensure a favourable result. Almost inevitably, this has in practice meant protracted, relentless and often unwinnable wars, and - in 1939-1945 - moral catastrophe.
The author of definitive books on the Holy Roman Empire and the Thirty Years War, Peter Wilson has with Iron and Blood written his masterpiece.
'Hugely impressive' Richard J. Evans, Times Literary Supplement
Editions of Iron and Blood
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780241355565
Read an Excerpt
*WINNER OF THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON MEDAL FOR MILITARY HISTORY*
*A DAILY TELEGRAPH BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022*
'No one interested in the history of Europe can afford not to read this stupendous book' Simon Heffer, Daily Telegraph
'Endlessly fascinating ... History has returned to Europe, and Iron and Blood is an excellent place to start getting reacquainted with it' The Times
From the acclaimed author of Europe's Tragedy and The Holy Roman Empire, a powerful account of German-speaking Europe through five centuries of military history
For most of its existence German-speaking Europe has been splintered into innumerable states - some substantial (such as Austria and Prussia) and some consisting of just a few Alpine meadows. Its military experience has also been extraordinarily varied: threatened and threatening; a mere buffer-zone, and a global threat.
Iron and Blood is a startlingly ambitious and absorbing book. It encompasses five centuries of political, military, technological and economic change to tell the story of the German-speaking lands, from the Rhine to the Balkan frontier, from Switzerland to the North Sea. Wilson's narrative considers everything from weapons development to recruitment to battlefield strategy. Germans' military impact on the rest of Europe has been immense. If there is one constant it has been the sense of being beset by seemingly more powerful enemies - France or Russia or Turkey - and the need to strike a rapid knockout blow to ensure a favourable result. Almost inevitably, this has in practice meant protracted, relentless and often unwinnable wars, and - in 1939-1945 - moral catastrophe.
The author of definitive books on the Holy Roman Empire and the Thirty Years War, Peter Wilson has with Iron and Blood written his masterpiece.
'Hugely impressive' Richard J. Evans, Times Literary Supplement
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Iron and Blood about?
*WINNER OF THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON MEDAL FOR MILITARY HISTORY*
*A DAILY TELEGRAPH BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022*
'No one interested in the history of Europe can afford not to read this stupendous book' Simon Heffer, Daily Telegraph
'Endlessly fascinating ... History has returned to Europe, and Iron and Blood is an excellent place to start getting reacquainted with it' The Times
From the acclaimed author of Europe's Tragedy and The Holy Roman Empire, a powerful account of German-speaking Europe through five centuries of military history
For most of its existence German-speaking Europe has been splintered into innumerable states - some substantial (such as Austria and Prussia) and some consisting of just a few Alpine meadows. Its military experience has also been extraordinarily varied: threatened and threatening; a mere buffer-zone, and a global threat.
Iron and Blood is a startlingly ambitious and absorbing book. It encompasses five centuries of political, military, technological and economic change to tell the story of the German-speaking lands, from the Rhine to the Balkan frontier, from Switzerland to the North Sea. Wilson's narrative considers everything from weapons development to recruitment to battlefield strategy. Germans' military impact on the rest of Europe has been immense. If there is one constant it has been the sense of being beset by seemingly more powerful enemies - France or Russia or Turkey - and the need to strike a rapid knockout blow to ensure a favourable result. Almost inevitably, this has in practice meant protracted, relentless and often unwinnable wars, and - in 1939-1945 - moral catastrophe.
The author of definitive books on the Holy Roman Empire and the Thirty Years War, Peter Wilson has with Iron and Blood written his masterpiece.
'Hugely impressive' Richard J. Evans, Times Literary Supplement
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Iron and Blood?
History and Archaeology > History > European history
Where can I read a sample of Iron and Blood?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780241355565
How long is Iron and Blood and how many pages does it have?
Iron and Blood has 976 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Iron and Blood?
Peter H. Wilson
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Iron and Blood is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780241355565)
Where can I buy Iron and Blood online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Iron and Blood from below
Where can I buy Iron and Blood?