The Thirty Years' War

The Thirty Years War is a complex subject. This book reveals how so. A good historical map of Germany and the Hapsburg lands is a necessity to help unravel the alliances, made and broken. The political manoeuvrings are tortuous, made for the most part by rulers who placed preservation of their homeland at a premium.
Chapter VI (The war in myth, legend and history) is an excellent summary and is reward for perseverance in having read so far. Parker places the War as one of the central factors in the "General Crisis" of the XVII Century, along with climate change, but is careful to point out that all the possible factors would not cause a war to last thirty years. He concludes that political paralysis, exacerbated by endless warfare show more contributed to the destitution, hideous injury and economic exhaustion of this disaster.
Excellent contribution to the paucity of histories in English on this subject. show less

This is an impossibly rare subject to find covered well in English, and this particular book is some very good coverage. If you ever stumble across it, buy it, even if you don't know or care what century this conflict was fought in; anyone with the mildest interest in military history will be thoroughly engaged.

A previous reviewer said this is not for the casual reader. My rating is not reflective of the book itself but of my preference for what I look for in a history book. Reading the Dutch Reformation with particular interest in James Arminius, I thought the Thirty Years War might interest me. Yet, although I was intrigued by how it demonstrates the complexities of this war - or any war - it confused me with its intricate information and details. Chapter 6, part on the 'Universal Soldier', was quite intriging for me. However, this book is for those seriously interested in this partciular subject. Truthfully, it is not for the casual reader.

I always complained that books needed more maps- More than enough for people who think as I do. Maps, charts and notes, along with notes to maps and charts. tough read but a lot of information. as one of the reviews stated "not for a casual reader."

stor

Muy bueno, por fin entiendo porque paso y que paso luego de la guerra de los 30 años.-
Tomo el mundo habla de la Paz de Westfalia y me parece que pocos tienen idea, Parecería que el status quo fue el miedo a repetir el desastrey no la pericia de los Diplomáticos y las habilidades políticas