Subject
Germany. Heer Books
Best books
Friedrich von Bernhardi
Germany and the Next War
"Germany and the Next War" by Friedrich von Bernhardi is a military and political treatise written in the early 20th century. The work elaborates on the rationale and necessity of war as a means for national self-assertion and the pursuit of power, asserting that for Germany, conflict is not merely an option but a duty in the face of external threats and internal weaknesses. The opening of the book sets a tone of urgency, reflecting on the public sentiment in Germany during the summer of 1911, amidst a perceived threat to national honor and political stability, particularly concerning the Morocco crisis. Von Bernhardi aims to clarify the national objectives, difficulties, and sacrifices required for Germany to secure its future. He emphasizes the need for a candid discussion of the rights and responsibilities of nations concerning war, framing it not only as an inevitability but also a moral obligation. Through this lens, he seeks to galvanize a nationalistic fervor, arguing that war is essential for maintaining and enhancing a nation's strength and cultural vitality.
Ernest F. (Ernest Flagg) Henderson
Germany's Fighting Machine Her Army, her Navy, her Air-ships and Why She Arrayed Them Against the Allied Powers of Europe
"Germany's Fighting Machine" by Ernest F. Henderson is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The book provides an in-depth examination of the German military, including its army, navy, and air forces, as well as the broader context of their preparations for World War I. The author aims to analyze why Germany had amassed such a formidable military force against the Allied Powers of Europe, especially in the wake of rising tensions leading to the war. The opening of the work describes Henderson’s experiences in Germany just before the outbreak of World War I, highlighting the rapid shift from admiration for Germany's achievements to the grim realization of an impending conflict. The author discusses the historical context leading up to the war, analyzing news reports and public sentiment in Germany regarding Russia's military preparations and the Franco-Russian alliance. He paints a vivid picture of the escalating tensions and the political dynamics of the time, foreshadowing the war’s outbreak and setting the stage for a detailed exploration of the German military capabilities that follow in the subsequent parts of the book.
Hugo Friedrich Philipp Johann Freytag-Loringhoven
Deductions from the World War
"Deductions from the World War" by Freytag-Loringhoven is a military treatise written in the early 20th century. It distills lessons from the Great War on strategy, leadership, national psychology, technology, and the political–economic foundations of power, arguing from a German general’s perspective for rigorous, future-oriented preparation. The work is analytical and unapologetically realist, aimed at officers and an informed public seeking to understand how states must organize for modern, total war. The opening of the work introduces the author’s career and authority, explains the book’s intended German audience and restricted circulation, and frames its core claim that war is rooted in human nature. The foreword argues that even before the conflict ends, nation and army must reexamine policy, economics, and organization to draw practical conclusions. The first chapters survey the Central Powers’ unfavorable coalition position, the entente’s maritime and economic advantages, and the rise of world-economics and sea power as decisive factors; they also recount how occupations and Balkan campaigns pursued strategic and economic aims, and how a missed decisive victory early in the West lengthened the war. A chapter on mass psychology contrasts national armies and morale across France, Britain, Russia, and Austria-Hungary, attributing endurance and success chiefly to moral strength and discipline. The discussion of technology highlights railways, telegraphy, aircraft, heavy artillery, gas, and field fortification, arguing that fortified zones and elastic defense now shape operations more than old-style fortresses. The early section on leadership insists that, despite new weapons, decision still turns on command and will, weighing envelopment versus breakthrough, explaining entrenched warfare’s rise, and justifying selective withdrawals to stronger lines to conserve forces and economic assets.
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