Germany Books

In this monograph Dr. Zuber sets out to challenge one of the key assumptions on the historiography of the German war planning prior to the First World War. The central thesis of this book calls into question the Schlieffen Plan, Germany's pre 1914 deployment plan for the War as being an aggressive war plan with an intent to annihilate the French army in one quick enormous battle (developed in 1905-6 by the retired Chief of the German General Staff, Count Alfred von Schlieffen). Zuber claims that, on the contrary, there was never such a plan and also that German strategy in 1914, far from being aggressive in intent, was based on a defensive plan designed to deal with a two front Franco-Russian attack on Germany.
According to conventional wisdom, the Schlieffen war plan envisaged the concentration of majority of the German army in the west between Metz and Aachen (82divisions, right wing of the front) and the rest (14 divisions) on the left flank in Lorraine. The right wing of the army would advance around French fortifications through Belgium, Luxemburg and northern France, continually turning the French left flank and decimating the French army.
Zuber argues that there never was a "Schlieffen plan".The "plan" was a result of delibrate attempts in the 1920's by Generals Groener, von Kuhl and Ludendorff to excuse their defeat in WW1 in general and more specifically to explain the German army's failure to defeat the Anglo-French army in August and September 1914.By arguing that the defeat was the result of Chief of Staff Moltke, not sticking to the script of the "plan", the responsibility for the loss could be conviniently shifted to the by now dead Moltke instead of the strategic and tactical mistakes of the General staff.Zuber also contends that neither Schlieffen nor Moltke had any plans to implement an offensive war plans but were planning to offset German numerical inferiority (1:2) by utilizing the force multipliers as for instance the mobility provided by German rail network to counterattack against the expected Franco-Russian offensives.More generally, Zuber argues for a revisiting of the traditional allocation of the war guilt and that the case against German militarism will have to be proven without the support of the Schlieffen plan (page 302).

The book is divided in 6 chapters. The first chapter investigates in great detail the explanations forwarded by the Germans for their defeat in the War and the genesis of the Schlieffen plan myth. He also deconstructs the debate in the 1920's and 1930's between Hans Delbrueck and the historians of the General Staff. The second chapter is an evaluation of the elder Moltke's and his successor General Waldersee's strategic thinking and writings (1871-1886). After a chapter on Fortresses, spies and crisis (1886-1890) where he traces the intellectual and military context of Schlieffen's thoughts, Zuber examines Schlieffen's writings, staff rides and annual military exercises from 1891-1905 in great detail. The final 2 chapters focus on Schlieffen successor Moltke's modified war plans (1906-1914 that still included a sweep through Belgium but alllocated more divisions to Lorraine and enough troops to defend against the initial Russian moves in East Prussia.

Indeed, the final chapters are the strongest in the book and are a major contribution to scholarship. For a general reader like me, these chapters are eye openers as to how detailed, comprehensive and intricate the German war planning was. For each year the chapters discusses how the overall war plan was translated into Aufmarschplan (initial deployment and military travel plans for each unit) and Aufmraschanweisungen (initial orders to army commanders).
A book draws on and benefits from using previously unavailable archival sources prior to 1990, from the Soviet collection of German documents. A key document among others discussed is the manuscript titled, 'Der Schlieffenplan' written by Major Dieckmann, a historian based in the Reicharchiv in the 1920's. This manuscript is a study of the developemnt of Schlieffen's military thought upto 1904 and was based on original documents for the Schileffen's years as the Chief of Staff. Zuber uses this to build his case against the conventional interpretation of the Schlieffen plan as an offensive plan focussing solely on the western front. Since a majority of the primary documents for the war planning for these years were completely lost in the allied bombing raid on Pastdam during WW2, Dieckmann's manuscript is a crucial source.
Another strength of the book is the discussion in great detail of the first 45 days of WW1 when German Armies 1,2 and 3 fought their way almost to Paris, while armies 5,6, and 7 successfully accompalished their mission of defending Southern Germany from French invasions. The book also has 13 maps and that makes it a lot easier to follow a highly specialised discussion. Dr. Zuber's background as a career officer in the U.S. army is also an asset in his elucidation of the operational aspects of war planning during these years.
On the minus side it would have helped if the book included a chapter on the political and economic dimensions to the war planning prior to 1914 and especially during 1900-1914.This would have put the discussion in context and also rounded off the book especially for general readers. Also since the Dieckmann manuscript breaks off at 1904, to extrapolate by close reading, Schlieffens thoughts to 1905 and after is problematic. It is also an assumption that Dieckmann had access to all the documents since it is well known that prior to issuing out new deployment orders for each year, the ones for the previous year were burned. Also many documents were lost during the disturbances and revolution in 1918 and that the General Staff introduced many forged documents into the archives. It is strongly recommended that this book be read in conjunction with Arden Bucholz': Moltke, Schlieffen and Prussian War Planning and Annika Mombauers' book:Helmuth Von Moltke and the Origins of the First World War.

As expected, Zuber's thesis has set of intense debates in the Military History journals and has also occasioned recently an international conference organised by Militargeschichtliches Forschungsamt (MGFA) in Postdam. This book is a major contribution to knowledge for the German war planning for the first world war and it is hoped that Oxford University Press would bring out a lower priced paperback edition for the wider audience.

Zuber contends that there really was no Schlieffen Plan and that the movements of the German army in 1914 was improvised by Molke in response to failure on the German left flank. Zuber writes that Schlieffen planned to let the French army to across the Rhine and then be surrounded by the German army. Schlieffen made both the right and left flanks strong contrary to popular belief. Moltke attacked the French in 1914 with both flanks equally strong but changed the main direction of the attack to the right flank after the Germans failed to destroy the French forts on the left. This is a highly interesting and controversial book that is highly readable. The main weakness of this book is its expensive price.

Volume II of the history of the premier Luftwaffe fighter unit in the defence of the Reich, JG 300, written by Jean-Yves Lorant and Richard Goyat and translated from the original French and German by Neil Page. Rowan Bayliss writing in Scale Aircraft Modelling described Vol I as containing 'some of the most gripping personal accounts of air combat I have ever read'. Volume II again is chock full of dramatic & thrilling first hand descriptions from the pilots caught up in some of the desperate air battles over the Reich and the Eastern Front through late 1944 and 1945. The book opens with a description of the air battles during the Market Garden operation in mid-September before the 8th AF resumed their massive daylight raids over the Reich from late September 1944. The massive sorties over the Reich during November & December 1944 are covered in depth from both sides and a number of old myths are laid to rest with detailed accounts from the German pilots themselves. The descriptions of the ramming assaults of the Sturmgruppe & the death in action of Klaus Bretschneider are particularly interesting. The book provides in-depth coverage of little-known aspects of the history of JG 300 and the Luftwaffe fighter force during the late war months. The accounts of the deployment of the Sturmgruppe on the Eastern Front during February 1945 are hair-raising, while the fighters of JG 300 were in almost constant ground attack sortie action during March and April 1945 as the Allied armies pressed deep into Germany from both East and West. Karl Rusack's accounts of the Wasserbomb missions against the Danube bridges and the desertion of Ernst Schroeder are more highlights fro mthe last months of the war. All in all, plenty of of exciting action & reading. This is probably one of the the last and most detailed Luftwaffe Jagdgeschwader unit histories to appear in English. Another lavish Eagle Editions production on quality glossy stock, the work is completed by pages of profile artwork from Tom Tullis and co-author Richard Goyat..

Both volumes of this title are superb. The narrative is well laid out, and coherent. The flow of action from day to day never loses the reader's interest. The books are packed with a lot of extra features, including a huge number of photos that are well-captioned. There are also 16 (vol. 1) and 30 (vol. 2) aircraft profiles in color that really bring the planes to life. The appendices include loss lists and victory lists.

Best of all, though, are the numerous personal accounts included in the text. Scores and scores of them. I could not recommend these books more. Outstanding job.

The book on the Salons was part of the Jewish Museum (NYC) show last spring. I saw the show and the book is now a tool I use for research. The women and their salons include some of the most influental and creative forces through the centuries. The book is also worth having as table top book, for your salon/living room as a way to stimulate converstions when your friends gather. Biliski is to be commended for her work on a topic Jewish Women have been waiting for.

For the earlier part of this analysis, I would like to retitle the book 'Salons'.
I know of no book that devotes its contents to the past two hundred years' cultural entity of the 'salon'. [For that matter I don't know of any book that devotes itself solely to the cultural entity of its 'equivalent' -- the 'musical(e)'.]
By provisionally eliminating the 'Jewish' or 'female' associations in the book, the study of the 'salon' as a cultural entity is unique itself.
Then coupled with the 'female' as the main creator and motivator of the salon is surely mind-expanding.
Then, in addition, (to those interested) to add the Jewish aspect (which, again, if one is interested) with its many associations (Jew and still German or Austro-Hungarian; the 'Court Jew'; voluntary conversion (or 'slipping away, or intermarriage) of some Jews, and its association with anti-Semitism, or just the desire to be 'less Jewish', the prominent place of many Jews in European history, etc., etc.) is surely a plus.
Now, to the physical aspect of the book: Its binding, quality of the paper, and quality of the (many colored) reproductions, are first quality.
Its content is unequaled with its seven introductory articles by the editors, the four monographs by other authorities; then the most interesting biographies of the female 'salon-keepers' [!!!]; and finally the fine notes, biblography and index.

To recapitulate: Physically this is a fine production; the subject (the salon) is a real contribution; plus the important function of the female (I can't think of any male 'salonniere'), and, to those interested, the importance of the Jew in the cultural history of particularly Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, this a unique and entirely 'satisfying' production.

Jew or non Jew, if you are at all interested in this contribution to the culture of the 'western' world, the purchase of this book is a MUST.

Sybille Bedford, a little known but fabulous 20th century author, has written one of the most searingly-honest semi-autobiographies I've ever read. Bedford's "Legacy" is the story of her father, written as a novel, about events that occurred long before her birth. "Jigsaw", which was short-listed for the Booker Prize, continues the tale, with the author as the major character with her mother. Although obviously based on real events, the book is nevertheless written in novelistic style, and her portrayal of life between the wars and those she knew is beautiful and very compelling. Bedford was born of upper class parents, in a milieu where people had money but no jobs, traveled around the continent for extended periods, and settled in other countries on a whim, in the days when passports and identity papers weren't necessary. Her parents divorced, the story opens with Bedford and her father living on the family estate given to her father by her mother as a settlement--surrounded by priceless antiques, but without any cash, they barter for food and the necessities of life. A lonely child, educated only by her father, knowing only adults, Bedford's life changes radically upon her father's death, and she finds herself in Italy, then France, with her beautiful, mercurial mother. Bedford turns a critical, sometimes even harsh, eye on her own behavior, berating herself for running away as a child, for an adolescent crush on another woman, for her guilt when her mother goes away and peace is restored at home. Bedford and her mother are part of the pre-WWII community of artists, writers and free-spirits who roamed Europe in the calm before the great storm of the next war--she inhabits a world where letters are delivered and a response received all in one day, where busses and cars are still a novelty, where servants stay on even without pay because they have nowhere else to go. Sexual experimentation is the norm--this book reminds the reader that "free love" wasn't discovered in the 60's. One is keenly aware of the transience of this world, and shudders when Bedford's mother assures her that the lessons of The Great War were so horrible that there will never be another.

The tragic character in this book is the mother--one sees quickly that despite her intelligence her whole being is dependent on her ability to charm and attract men--when her second marriage goes awry the consequences are truly disastrous. The book ends abruptly at a crisis point in her mother's marriage when Bedford was 19 or 20--the reader says "But what happens next!?" I don't think there is any more--Bedford in the introduction says this is her last novel, and indeed she was in her late 80's when "Jigsaw" was published. Bedford deserves more recognition in the US--she is a premier European talent, and "Legacy" and "Jigsaw" are riveting stories.

This is an intelligent, highly engaging and fascinating novel. It mimics, both a travelogue and an autobiography. It leaves the reader itching to know how much of the story was based on the life experiences of the writer. The various relationships between the characters in the novel are quite unique and shocking yet entertaining. I highly recommend this novel

It gives printers a sense of pride in there fast paced sometimes unappreciated work. It helps people realize that it was a printer who single handedly raised mankind out of the dark ages.

Kapr's book is the result of his life's research on Gutenberg and a summary of all that was known on the subject by the late 20th century. Some readers might find the book slightly dry and scholarly, but it gives all the familiar and obscure, bizarre and quirky tales about the inventor of printing, and it patiently distinguishes which parts of the legend are speculative and apocryphal from those that deserve to be considered historical fact. Kapr's narrative paints a vivid picture of fifteenth-century southwestern Germany, its social structure and politics and the conditions that set the stage for Gutenberg's achievment. We see Gutenberg's childhood as the son of a wealthy businessman and wine producer and how this could have given him the ideas he later put into practice in his inventions. One of the more interesting and illustrative stories is Gutenberg's invention of metal stamping to manufacture mirrors for the pilgrims at Aachen, a brilliant piece of imaginative work that was blunted by his miscalculation by a year of the date of the Aachen pilgrimmage. Throughout the book we see repeated instances of Gutenberg's restless inventive powers and his benighted (or astonishingly unlucky) career as a businessperson. In the end, Kapr shows how Gutenberg fell afoul of the Pope and was driven out of his home town by the Pope's allies and left to die in obscurity. In addition, the book shows to a small degree the contribution of Peter Schoeffer to the invention and explains why the world's first printing firm was Fust und Schoeffer rather than Gutenberg und Gesellschaft. As a reader with a personal interest in printing and typography and an amateur historian's thirst for more fine details to round out my knowledge of the early Renaissance, I found this book to be unputdownable.

This book has both my boys (ages 6 & 4) laughing and singing (there is a made-up ditty about Heinrich the Pizza Man) and wanting to read the whole book repeatedly. The silly illustrations along with actual images make Bach's history understandable and interesting to the very young. Now we're all listening to the Brandenberg Concertos!

All of the Venezia books are really great. They are funny yet informative and really help children to learn about Artists and Composers.

This is THE book on Bach. Boyd's Bach is okay, but Karl Geiringer's Bach is better.

Karl Geiringer wrote compelling and informative biographies that are concise yet musically mature and insightful. This book is divided into two parts. The first third of the book (106 pages) is a narrative of Bach's life. Part II has a short essay on Bach's musical heritage that describes the musical resources and forms that were in force in Bach's time.

Part III discusses the great composer's music by type rather than in chronological order. This helps us compare the various compositions in each genre and see the compositional choices Bach made and how he developed as a composer.

This is a fine book for the general reader, student, or professional musician.

I found this novel deeply moving. I believe that it is a poignant, stunning, book that should NOT go un-noticed. I can move you to tears!

The thing that sets this book apart from the others is the fact that it goes beyond the horrors of the concentration camps and follows the survivors as they figure out how to live normal lives after the holocaust. The end of the war was the beginning of new challenges, loves, heartbreaks, and, sometimes, horrors. The human will is amazing and glimpses into recoveries such as these are precious.

Kara Walker's Art currently exhibited at the UCLA Hammer Museum is so powerful I often think about the Art exhibit during my day it has become my companion,a stimulating and welcomed friend I recommed this book and urge all within a hundred miles of Los Angeles to visit the Hammer before June 8,2008

Kara Walker is the artist who has something to say in every medium. First I have viewed her sensational installations which include her trademark silouhettes which remind me of huge versions of cameos from time gone by. Second her messages are loud clear with a poetic flow . She translates her ideas about abused women,slavery,possession and if possible redemption into paper cut outs which can fill a room along with paintings drawings film and text. Her book ebodies the foundation of these images. I highly recommend it.

These books have been very helpful on our two trips to Europe. I have found every hotel review to be accurate. The authors also give great ideas for side trips and useful maps. You can plan your whole vacation using these books.

If you want to find charming smaller hotels in Europe this books is your best bet. If you prefer a larger American Style hotel or resort this is not the book for you.

When I planned my first trip to Germany, back in 2000, I read through a copy of Karen Brown's guide that I'd taken out of the library. I recall sniffing at it: the hotels it listed were all the expensive, elegant places that I couldn't afford. And there was something about the itineraries that bothered me -- perhaps an emphasis on elegance (presumably at the expense of experiencing the real country).

However, during my vacation, we found ourselves following much of the Black Forest itinerary that the (then-current) book suggested, and discovered that one of the hotels we picked -- a lovely one in Triberg -- was on her list.

I've now been to Germany twice, and am planning a third trip. I've looked at this guide once more, and (now that I'm familar with the country) I am incredibly impressed by it. My initial criticisms, four years ago, were completely off the mark. I've done at least part of a few of her itineraries, and they really are very good.

While it's recommended that you stay a day or two in the major cities (such as Munich), these really get only an arm wave. (You'll want another book that focuses on them.) Where this book shines is in sending you -- in a car, this isn't for the train traveler -- along a well defined route to see stuff outside the litany of museums and yet-another-church.

In addition, those itineraries take you through regions that other books simply ignore. I've found that several books completely ignore the Black Forest, or briefly mention Frieberg and Baden-Baden. The DK book (which does have beautiful pictures) gives a single page to Baden-Baden, for instance; this one has three or four, including some idea of what to expect at the famous spas.

Plus, unlike a lot of guide books, this one gives you some idea of how much time to budget for each leg of the trip. For instance, she points out that it's a 5-hour drive from point-a to point-b along this stretch of the Alpine Road, but between lunch and sightseeing you should expect to stay a full day.

The only earlier criticism that did apply -- an emphasis on expensive places to stay -- has been addressed, as there are now several places listed for 80 euros rather than 200.

I now have quite a collection of Germany tour books. This one's sure to be among the ones I pack along.