Warfare and Society in Europe, 1792-1914 (Warfare and History)

This excellent book published in 2000 is an up-to-date, chronological discussion on the evolution of warfare on land and sea in the momentous century that witnessed the peak of Europe's domination of the World. It takes us from 1792 with the start of the French Revolutionary Wars to the outbreak of WWI in 1914. It does not present that subject dryly, only as a specialized topic, but inserts it masterfully within its broader cultural context and shows the mutual influence of changes in the way war was fought and the developments on the political, social and technological levels. Important subjects covered are : -The Napoleonic Wars and the Battle of Waterloo -The Restoration period and the new wave of revolutions (1815-49) -Napoleon III and the militarization of Europe (1848-66) -The rise of Prussia and Italy (1861-66) -The Franco-Prussian War (1870-71) -New weapons and the new imperialism (1877-1905) -The developments in seapower and naval warfare (1890-1914) -The European arms race from 1911 to 1914 -The outbreak of the First World War in 1914 This was a fascinating period in military history and more generally in European history and this book really stands out in quality because of its broad scope and penetrating insights. It is extremely informative in that it is fairly concise (225 pages) yet always gets the important points right. Drawing from an extensive bibliography of the most recent and advanced historical research, it really puts together the pieces of a(rather complex)puzzle. The style is fluid and "to the point". It would be hard to write a better synthesis to find one's way in such a huge subject where literature is (too) plentiful and of (very) variable quality. It can serve as an introduction to the novice in the field but will also satisfy and enrich the more experienced reader.

Combining original research with the latest scholarship Warfare and Society in Europe, 1792 - 1914 examines war and its aftermath from Napoleonic times to the outbreak of the First World War. Throughout, this fine book treats warfare as a social and political phenomenon no less than a military and technologial one, and includes discussions on:

* The French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars
* Napoleon III and the militarization of Europe
* Bismark, Molkte, and the Franco-Prussian War, 1870-71
* new technologies and weapons
* seapower, imperialism and naval warfare
* the origins and outbreak of the First World War.

For anyone studying, or with in interest in European warfare, this book details the evolution of land and naval warfare and highlights the swirling interplay of society, politics and military decision making.

Combining original research with the latest scholarship Warfare and Society in Europe, 1792 - 1914 examines war and its aftermath from Napoleonic times to the outbreak of the First World War. Throughout, this fine book treats warfare as a social and political phenomenon no less than a military and technologial one, and includes discussions * The French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars * Napoleon III and the militarization of Europe * Bismark, Molkte, and the Franco-Prussian War, 1870-71 * new technologies and weapons * seapower, imperialism and naval warfare * the origins and outbreak of the First World War. For anyone studying, or with in interest in European warfare, this book details the evolution of land and naval warfare and highlights the swirling interplay of society, politics and military decision making. Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 List of maps......Page 9 Preface......Page 10 Napoleon and the road to Waterloo......Page 12 Restoration and revolution, 1815 49......Page 34 Napoleon III and the militarization of Europe, 1848 66......Page 56 The rise of Prussia and Italy, 1861 6......Page 84 The Franco-Prussian War of 1870 1......Page 111 New weapons and the 'new imperialism', 1877 1905......Page 135 Sea power and popular navalism, 1890 1914......Page 171 War plans and armaments: the deadly spiral, 1911 14......Page 199 The outbreak of World War I in 1914......Page 223 Bibliography......Page 237 Index......Page 251 Combining original research with the latest scholarship Wawro examines war and its aftermath from Napoleonic times to the outbreak of WW1. The book highlights the interplay of society, politics and military decision making in Europe