Wallenstein: The Enigma of the Thirty Years War

by Geoff Mortimer

Albrecht Wallenstein was a legendary military commander and generalissimo of the Habsburg forces, yet was eventually assassinated on the orders of Emperor Ferdinand II. This accessible modern biography of Wallenstein for the English-speaking reader dispels the many historical myths surrounding this central character of the Thirty Years War.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Germany

277 pages, Paperback

First published July 16, 2010

Reviews

[Kennedy Mesker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that this was a phenomenal recount of the story of Wallenstein. It was easy to read, and though it assumes some context on the Thirty Years War, I think that Mortimer gave an amazing recount of the rise and fall of Wallenstein. That being said, there was a bit of bias in this text. In most other texts, Wallenstein is portrayed as an evil betrayer and Mortimer does a good job of addressing the rumors. At the same time, I feel like he took some liberties in interpreting the data giving to portray Wallenstein in a positive light. Keep that in mind when reading. Other than that, I personally think that this was a fantastic book.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an ably written attempt to clear away the legends that have grown up around Albrecht von Wallenstein, the brilliant Imperial commander during the first half of the Thirty Years War. It also serves well as a reasonably brief biography of this figure, against the backdrop of the first fifteen years of this horrific conflict. In brief, his abilities as a logistical genius, and a competent, far-sighted general saved the Holy Roman Empire twice, but for this service he was assassinated by Emperor Ferdinand II. It was asserted that he was planning to betray the Emperor and go over to the Swedes. Mortimer makes a good case that the assassination plot grew out of court intrigues by Wallenstein's detractors, coupled with the Emperor's cynical practice of financing the endless conflict with expropriations of property. Being a major creditor to the Emperor, as well as having amassed vast holdings of land over the course of the war, Wallenstein was the ideal victim for the Emperor to settle his debts.

One significant omission to me is that while Mortimer refers to Wallenstein's near incapacitation toward the end of his life due to health problems at the end of his life, he fails to mention it was due to a terminal case of syphilis, as was determined by exhumation of his remains in 1983.

I liked this book, and found it quite informative, but it is dry, and really requires a good basic familiarity with this period of history. So, as a fine piece for specialists and those interested in a major figure it would be a four, I have to downgrade it to a three for more general readers.

[David Longstreth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. I see not attempt at bias. First of all as of much of European history, there is not much on the subject in English.

This author offers a very well researched text. He provides information on previous works. He mentions previous authors throughout the text.

He provides a rational approach to concepts, actions, elements concerned.

This book also is a good companion to the reader concerning the wars in Europe from the early 160ss to 1633.

The reader should know ahead that four and five may be a bit of detail on economics etc, that the reader may not wish every detail on. Yet once that information is shared and examined, the rest of the read is very clear, well written and often compelling, lots of adjectives for you don't have to be a history frantic to enjoy the read.

[Stephen Lockett · Rating 4 out of 5]

As well as giving a good incite into the 30 years war which Wallenstein was a major military participant, the book gives an unexpected and fascinating insight into how history can develop, often erroneously, as Mortimer shows how previous texts have developed out of proportion to the facts. Even readers not interested in the 30 years war which had little or no contemporary impact on England can learn how historical knowledge may be compiled wrongly and out of context, anachronistic being a common failing of other commentators.

[Legens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent biography which succeeds at dispelling the Wallenstein myth, instead presenting him as a not uncommon man of his time whose actions were rooted in his concern for the safety of his estate, and, when it came to choosing sides, his imperial-Catholic loyalty. Wallenstein was thus tied to the emperor, but needed peace to achieve the lasting confirmation of his material gains. When the emperor listened to Wallenstein's detractors at court, the tables turned against him - from beneficiary of Ferdinand's expropriations (in Bohemia and Mecklenburg) to the victim of the same method.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geoff Mortimer provides a brilliantly researched and well-written study of the commander of the imperial forces in the 1620s and 1630s. He addresses all of the bunk that has tarnished the reputation of the outstanding commander of the early seventeenth century. A must read for anyone interested in the Thirty Years' War and warfare in Early Modern Europe.