Gustavus Adolphus

by Theodore Ayrault Dodge

Gustavus Adolphus (1594–1632), King of Sweden, has been rightfully hailed as the father of modern warfare and as the most outstanding commander of the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648). Forming the first national conscript army in modern Europe, he emphasized officer education, strict discipline, rigorous training, and the combination of firepower and mobility, until he had forged a formidable fighting force that stands unrivaled between Caesar's legions and Napoleon's Grande Armée. In 1630 Gustavus rescued the beleaguered Protestant cause in Germany from the Catholic League of the Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II militarily, led by the era's two other great captains, Tilly and Wallenstein. Gustavus triumphed against them (twice defeating Tilly) in battles that are tactical masterpieces, but he was killed while leading a cavalry charge at Lutzen.Illustrated with nearly 250 drawings and maps, Dodge's brilliant work (1895) not only examines the life, battles, and military innovations of Gustavus Adolphus but continues beyond the end of the Thirty Years' War to 1712, discussing his influence upon the great captains who followed—Turenne, Condé, Eugene, and Marlborough. The result is a clear, comprehensive study of a neglected but crucial period in the annals of warfare.

Genres: History, Military History, Biography, Nonfiction, War

896 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1895

About the author

Theodore Ayrault Dodge was an American officer and military historian. He fought as an Union officer in the American Civil War, and lost his leg at the Battle of Gettysburg; as a writer, he devoted his writings to both the American Civil War and the great generals of Ancient and European history.

Reviews

[David C Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still looking for a modern bio of Gustavus; this is from the 1890s and is hagiography but kind of fun.

[Julian Cribb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating history of an extraordinary figure in history, who deserves to stand with Alexander, Caesar and Napoleon in many respects - but is little known in the English-speaking world. Fighting in one of the bloodiest wars in all of history - the 30 Years War (1618-48)- on the side of the Protestants, when armies habitually slaughtered, raped and pillaged everyone in the path (all in the name of God) culminating in the horror of Magdeburg, Gustavus stand out as the exception, a genuinely good man who disciplined his troops to respect the people they fought against, as well a a cool-headed commander and a brilliant tactician. This account is a tad dry, and needs to be read with a detailed map of Europe at the elbow or else the brilliance of his strategic moves is lost, but it is important because it describes in detail the exploits of the man widely acknowledged as the father of modern military thought. Will appeal more to military buffs and historians than the general reader.

['Aussie Rick' · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, first published in 1895, offers the reader an interesting account of the Swedish King, Gustavus Adolphus (1594–1632) and his role as a commander during the Thirty Years' War. The book is illustrated with numerous maps and line drawings, although the maps are a bit hard to read at times but sufficient to get an idea of the movements being described.

The book continues past the death of Gustavus Adolphus and the end of the Thirty Years' War to look at his influence upon the great captains who followed, including such commanders as the French leaders; Turenne and Condé and also the partnership of Eugene and Marlborough. Overall this is an delightful book to read for those interested in this little covered period and even though the style of writing takes a little time to get use to its well worth the effort.

[Luis Delgado · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gustabas Adolphus,: A History of the Art of War

Gracias a las mejoras que introdujo tanto en el fusil como en los cañones que le daban ventaja en el campo de batalla, le permitió distinguirse en el combate, facilitando la maniobra de las unidades de infantería y caballería, apoyados por unidades de artillería, obteniendo rapidez en sus maniobras frente a la rigidez de sus iniciales adversarios. Es digno de resaltar su fidelidad al móvil por el qué se involucró en la Guerra de los Treinta Años.

[Edward Lengel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Possibly the weakest entry in Dodge's otherwise superb Great Captains series. The author's religious bigotry skews his judgment in considering the events of the Thirty Years' War and Cromwell's campaign in Ireland. In the second half of this lengthy work, however, Dodge returns to strictly military affairs, and does a much better job analyzing the campaigns of Turenne, Conde, Eugene, and Marlborough.

[Joe Vaughn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Massive and intimidating book--don't get put off by the size of the thing. Well worth the read for those who enjoy the evolution of military strategy and tactics.

[Takipsilim · Rating 5 out of 5]

The father of modern warfare and a highly readable narrative/study of an overlooked period in the art of war.

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pedantic and boring.