Franco-Prussian War 1870–1871, Volume 1

Book excerpt: The first volume of this comprehensive study of the Franco-Prussian War presents a detailed account of Germany Confederation’s decisive victory over France. In the first part of this two-volume military history, Quintin Barry examines the war against the French Imperial Army waged by the armies of the German Confederation, directed by that supreme military mind, Helmuth von Moltke. Barry places Moltke and his strategic planning in the context of the European balance of power following the ending of the Austria Prussian War in 1866. He then explores the initial mobilization and deployment of the armies in 1870. All the battles of this opening round of the war are described in detail, including Weissenburg, Worth, Spicheren, Borny-Colombey, Mars la Tour, Gravelotte, Beaumont and, of course, Sedan. The book ends as the Second Empire of Napoleon III lies defeated, crushed by the German armies. Barry has made full use of an extensive number of German and French language sources. His detailed text is accompanied by a number of black and white illustrations and newly drawn battle maps. Orders of battle are also provided.