Product Description

The Franco-Prussian war remains one of the most dramatic conflicts in nineteenth century European history. Now reissued with a new introduction by the author, this book is acknowledged as the definitive history of the conflict.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #164522 in Books
• Published on: 2001-09-27
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 536 pages

Review

'No outline can suggest the richness of detail and significance, or the superb command of language with which he invests his chronicle.  His book is a masterpiece' - Sunday Times

'A model of how military history should be written' - Economist

'A superb study' - The Guardian

'A most valuable addition to historical literature' - A.J.P. Taylor

'I read it once a year.  A beautifully written account of "a close-run thing"' - Sir Julian Critchley

'Michael Howard has analysed the origins and the events of this great war with thoroughness, clarity and high narrative skill' - The Times

'Of far wider significance than a simple history of nineteenth-century war' - Spectator

'Michael Howard has established himself as an historian of a high order' - The Times Literary Supplement

'No outline can suggest the richness of detail and significance, or the superb command of language with which he invests his chronicle. His book is a masterpiece.' - Sunday Times

'Brilliantly written.' - Julian Critchley, The Week

From the Back Cover

In 1870 Bismarck ordered the Prussian Army to invade France, inciting one of the most dramatic conflicts in European history.  It transformed not only the states-system of the Continent but the whole climate of European moral and political thought.  The overwhelming triumph of German military might, evoking general admiration and imitation, introducted an era of power politics, which was to reach its disastrous climax in 1914. 

First published in 1961 and now with a new introduction, The Franco-Prussian War is acknowledged as the definitive history of one of the most dramatic and decisive conflicts in the history of Europe.

About the Author
Sir Michael Howard was the Regius Professor of Modern History at the University of Oxford from 1980-1989. He was Professor of History at Yale University from 1989-1993.

Customer Reviews

Covering both the military and political progress
Michael Howard's work is considered by many to be the standard work on the period. Interestingly this war, that between its ending in 1871 and the start of the First World War in 1914 was the most written about campaign in history, has been somewhat overshadowed now, to the extent that many English speaking people are entirely unaware that there was a Second French Empire with another Bonaparte on the throne. Michael Howard's work, written in the 1960s, when French student demonstrations were linked very closely with the Paris comune of 1871, is really a reexamination of the conflict that shaped Europe. Whereas previous studies, certainly near contemporary ones, focussed on the military lessons that should be learnt before the next European war, Howard looks at the conflict from more of a political angle. Certainly for the student of military history this gives a good overview, but specific detail on battles is light. This is more of a "Clausewitzian" work, charting the combined military and political progress of the campaign. This work is a good starting point for any student of the period looking to take their first steps into this conflict. Over recent years this period of history has become more accessable through the publication of more works, such as the reprinting of the Prussian Staff Histories, and other contemporary works form both sides. Howard's work will, however, give us a solid foundation for our studies, particularly as the author seems to have little or no ploitical axe to grind.