This is a really great book.  So you don’t have got read any further….  the book covers the German way of war dating from the lessons they learn in the 1870s.  The author introduced us to Helmut Karl Bernhard von Moltke who uses the Augtragstaktik as the centrepiece of what becomes the underlining principle of German military doctrine for the coming two world wars.

A central element within the Prussian/German Army is Auftragstaktik, a tactical management concept that dates from the middle of the nineteenth century and is still very advanced in terms of management and organization.

While the Germans ultimately lost both wars., when you look at the case studies in the book, of which there are a lot, it is clear that German military thinking was way advanced of the rest of the world.

This will possibly be uncomfortable reading for some but the author simply lays out the facts in his chosen case studies and historical reports from both sides to create a picture of what happened. Comparing things such as how officers and men were treated, how command structures worked and how replacements were integrated – it’s a very interesting read.  

I wonder if wargamming rules need to be amended to take it account the seemingly endless flexibility of the German war machine of WW1 and WW2.

You will not be surprised to learn the author is a management consultant, and the book reads like an instruction manual with simple easy to follow case studies that explain the concepts discussed.  Reading the case studies in this context will effect your view on some of these battles, at least it has for me.

This will be a book I read over again.

You can buy the book here from Pen and Sword books. 

Please note I was not paid to write this review but was sent a review copy of the books. All comments are my own, and the publishers have not amended the review in any way.

I really enjoy this series of books as it still staggers me how much information there is available about the military history of the period.  I also like the writing style.

This is a double review really as I was sent two of these books at the same time.

Military History of Late Rome 395-425

This book covers the period under the rule of Stilicho , one of the great emperors of the period, who seems to be able to defeat all opposition to his url until a conspiracy finally got him in 409.  With his death we see the fall of Rome to Alaric and his Visigoths in 410.  I wonder what would have happened if he had survived a few more years.

While the Western Empire crumbled, the East survived attacks from their enemies and were able to take Rome in 425 where the book ends. 

You can buy the book here from Pen and Sword books. 

The Military History of Late Rome Volume 457-518

This book covers the collapse of the Western Roman Empire.  It also shows us how the Eastern Roman empire continued to survive.

In part due to the military prowess of rulers or their military campaign failings.

The author also covers a number of battles that haven’t had much research.  This could be an interesting section for wargamers looking give their late roman armies a new set of battles to play.

I think both of these books, and the wider series are excellent additions any military historian or wargammer of the period.  These are useful research tools and can be used as a jumping off point for a number of research projects.  

You can buy the book here from Pen and Sword books. 

Please note I was not paid to write this review but was sent a review copy of the books. All comments are my own, and the publishers have not amended the review in any way.