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History of the German General Staff 1657-1945
This comprehensive history traces the Prussian and later German General Staff from its earliest beginnings in the Thirty Years' War to the German unconditional surrender in 1945. During the first decades of its existence, the Staff was led by idealists with constructive political conceptions. The emergence later of anonymous technicians, whose political convictions were either nonexistent or based on ambition, only aggravated a militaristic national temperament. Hitler's hostility caused many Staff members to be torn between their ethical responsibilities & the traditional military obedience dictated by their oath of office. In the end, Hitler succeeded in destroying the German General Staff, perhaps because it had become composed of so many different political and intellectual strains. Based on research & interviews with military staff who survived WWII.
634 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1952
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 19, 2018
Absorbing and illuminating, if a little confusing in the last half because of the multiplicity of generals in different but similar-sounding roles and different but similar organizations. That actually is one of the main points in the story of the increasingly less powerful staff during the Second World War — the vaunted German military machine somehow functioned for years despite its leadership being caught in rivalries, suspicions, occasional despair, frequent reorganizations, and the badly crossed lines of authority that were part of the Nazi regime's way of doing things.
It's probably less a history of the general staff and the way that organization operated than a story of many of the remarkable and less remarkable men who were part of it, and of the historical situations in which they found themselves. While generally very good, some sections are standouts for their informativeness and/or their literary quality; for example, the description of the extent to which German officers feared Poland between 1918 and 1939, or the portrait of Count Alfred von Schlieffen. I wasn't persuaded, however, by the author's statement that a hard-driving commander might have made Schlieffen's plan to destroy French resistance work in 1914. Also wondered if he was being a bit too sympathetic with the regular army officers in the last half of the book, covering the Second World War. They are largely portrayed as victims of the Nazis and their half-mad leader. Still very convincing and readable work.
Actually read the 1953 Praeger paperback edition, which I take it was somewhat condensed for the American translation but still runs 500 pages.
It's probably less a history of the general staff and the way that organization operated than a story of many of the remarkable and less remarkable men who were part of it, and of the historical situations in which they found themselves. While generally very good, some sections are standouts for their informativeness and/or their literary quality; for example, the description of the extent to which German officers feared Poland between 1918 and 1939, or the portrait of Count Alfred von Schlieffen. I wasn't persuaded, however, by the author's statement that a hard-driving commander might have made Schlieffen's plan to destroy French resistance work in 1914. Also wondered if he was being a bit too sympathetic with the regular army officers in the last half of the book, covering the Second World War. They are largely portrayed as victims of the Nazis and their half-mad leader. Still very convincing and readable work.
Actually read the 1953 Praeger paperback edition, which I take it was somewhat condensed for the American translation but still runs 500 pages.
September 29, 2022
Warning:Spoilers! The Germans lost WW2. Now that is out of the way the book is an Excellent account of the histories Prussian/German General staff. The books chapters shows the reader how both German idealism and the material conditions of Germany lead to the rise and fall of the German Junker class. The early chapters recounting the histories of von Gneisenau, von Scharnhorst, von Moltke the elder may be a bit romanticized but it serves a rhetorical purpose that I am sympathetic too. As I’m sure many of the german staff officers who take the stage after these characters would long to be born in that time, you get a sense of that. The final chapters holds important political lessons on the dangers of inaction and a reliance on old/outdated political norms which would make it a relevant reading even if you are not interested in the history. The prose itself was pretty and the English translation was a pleasant read. My only criticism is I wish the author/translator explained more deeply the social/political theories and nuances of the works of von Clausewitz. 5/5.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2014
I have always been looking for a book dedicated to the German General Staff. This one did the trick and answered my questions and filled me in on how this organization functioned.
September 26, 2022
Interesting general history of the German General Staff from its earliest embryonic phases to its final destruction with the end of WWII. Unfortunately, it is more of a German military history with references to where the General Staff had a role. The book is utterly devoid of both maps and organizational charts, which would have been especially useful given the often nebulous, conflicting and confusing entities in play, especially in WWII when staffs seemed to breed like rabbits. Also, the book pays undue attention to the Valkyrie assassination plot against Hitler, which seems far too into the weeds for a history spanning almost three centuries.
September 2, 2018
A wonderful book with a wealth of information for those interested in the topic. Due to the age of the book however, some of the "facts" (such as widespread Polish cavalry charges during the German invasion in 1939) have been proven otherwise. While the book is good, it's certainly a slog and is best read if you have the requisite knowledge of German history and an elementary understanding of German and French.
July 25, 2019
Having just read several books on WW1 and WW2 the second half of the book was a bit repetitive and was like viewing German history through the key whole of the General staff. Still interesting but not sure I would have read it if I had knew it would be like this. The first part was excellent and the second half did help separate Hitler's megalomania from what the German Generals thought would be prudent.
August 4, 2014
Comprehensive and authoritative. Goerlitz is clearly a student of German/Prussian history but, most importantly, he is well versed in European history from that era. His contextual understanding of the political forces driving continental European affairs is critical in this book's success.
His diction deserves equal praise. In the hands of an incompetent, this weighty tome could have read like stereo instructions. However, Goerlitz never fails to imbue the narrative with a strong conversational style that deftly clarifies the complex machinations of the era.
Wholeheartedly recommended.
His diction deserves equal praise. In the hands of an incompetent, this weighty tome could have read like stereo instructions. However, Goerlitz never fails to imbue the narrative with a strong conversational style that deftly clarifies the complex machinations of the era.
Wholeheartedly recommended.
November 8, 2012
Excellent and rare book a must read for WW II buffs
July 22, 2014
Well worth the read.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews