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

The Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71 violently changed the course of European History. Alarmed by Bismarck's territorial ambitions and the Prussian army's crushing defeats of Denmark in 1864 and Austria in 1866, French Emperor Napoleon III vowed to bring Prussia to heel. Digging into many European and American archives for the first time, Geoffrey Wawro's Franco-Prussian War describes the war that followed in thrilling detail. While the armies mobilized in July 1870, the conflict appeared "too close to call." Prussia and its German allies had twice as many troops as the French. But Marshal Achille Bazaine's grognards ("old grumblers") were the stuff of legend, the most resourceful, battle-hardened, sharp-shooting troops in Europe, and they carried the best rifle in the world. From the political intrigues that began and ended the war to the bloody battles at Gravelotte and Sedan and the last murderous fights on the Loire and in Paris, this is the definitive history of the Franco-Prussian War. The antagonists. The technical background The unreformed armies The reform of the Prussian army The reform of the French army -- The outbreak. The war plans The Hohenzollern candidature The German mobilisation The French mobilisation -- The first disasters. The concentration of the armies Spicheren Froeschwiller -- The Army of the Rhine. The invasion Vionville-Mars-la-Tour Gravelotte-St. Privat -- The Army of Châlons. Beaumont Sedan -- The government of national defence. Ferrières The nation in arms The francs-tireurs -- Metz and Strasbourg -- The battles for Orléans. Coulmiers Beaune-la-Rolande Loigny -- The siege of Paris. The investment Le plan Trochu Versailles The bombardment -- Guerre à outrance. The deepening conflict Chanzy Faidherbe The end in the West Bourbaki -- The peace.

In 1870 Bismarck ordered the Prussian Army to invade France, inciting one of the most dramatic conflicts in European history. It transformed not only the states-system of the Continent but the whole climate of European moral and political thought. The overwhelming triumph of German military might, evoking general admiration and imitation, introduced an era of power politics, which was to reach its disastrous climax in 1914.

First published in 1961 and now with a new introduction, The Franco-Prussian War is acknowledged as the definitive history of one of the most dramatic and decisive conflicts in the history of Europe.

In 1870 Bismarck ordered the Prussian Army to invade France, inciting one of the most dramatic conflicts in European history. It transformed not only the states-system of the Continent but the whole climate of European moral and political thought. The overwhelming triumph of German military might, evoking general admiration and imitation, introduced an era of power politics, which was to reach its disastrous climax in 1914. First published in 1961 and now with a new introduction, The Franco-Prussian War is acknowledged as the definitive history of one of the most dramatic and decisive conflicts in the history of Europe. The Franco-Prussian war remains one of the most dramatic conflicts in nineteenth century European history. Now reissued with a new introduction by the author, this book is acknowledged as the definitive history of the conflict.