The Franco-Prussian War: The German Invasion of France 1870-1871

Michael Howard's history of the Franco-Prussian War has long been regarded as a classic of military history, and after reading it it's easy to see why. His book is a incisive recounting of the combatants and the operations they undertook over the course of the ten-month-long conflict. In the process he identifies the elements that defined the conflict, showing how just ill-prepared the French were for the war they faced, how poorly suited the French generals were for the type of war they were in, and how precarious Prussia's victory was after their ostensibly decisive victory in the battle of Sedan. While Geoffrey Wawro's [b:The Franco-Prussian War: The German Conquest of France in 1870-1871|1054645|The Franco-Prussian War The German show more Conquest of France in 1870-1871|Geoffrey Wawro|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348178929s/1054645.jpg|378416] serves as a better introduction to the subject thanks to its broader coverage of the context of events, nobody interested in understanding the events of the war can afford to skip Howard's perceptive and enduring examination of it. show less

A solid, if somewhat dated, account of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871. I wished it would've had better maps showing troop deployments and movements. Also some photographs would have added to a better understanding. Author has a good sense of satire and humor and points out the numerous errors and mistakes on both sides. The French seemed to be fatalistic and largely incompetent. The Prussians struggled with a long supply line and internal divisions. Prussian commander Helmuth von Moltke continuously overestimated the abilities and daring of the French commanders. This is mostly a military account. Not much on politics, German unification, or the Paris Commune.

A clear account of the upset victory that was a major contributor to the Great Wars of the twentieth Century. The maps are adequate and the analysis is the standard for further writers in this field. This is a good book for the WWI student.

Department of History
University of Hong Kong