The Strategy of the Seven Weeks’ War, 1866

Originally published in 1902, The Strategy of the Seven Weeks War presents a clear account of the pivotal events of the Bohemian campaign during the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. The author took Count Blumenthal’s journals and used them as a framework around which he wrote his account - Blumenthal being Chief of Staff of the Prussian Second Army.

Arranged in a chronological format, the author surveys the build-up to and outbreak of war and Prussian preparations for mobilisation, as well as the mobilisation itself. This is then followed by a day-by-day account of the campaign, focusing on troop movements and strategic decisions. Finally, the author presents a detailed critique of the original published journals of Count Blumenthal, revealing a number of interesting anecdotes and incidents relating to both this officer and comrades such as Moltke.

Quotes from Blumenthal are scattered throughout the text and help shed light on the opinions of the Prussian commanders, and in particular upon their decision-making processes. Not only this, but Gillespie-Addison’s work represents an admirable precis of the entire campaign in less than 60 pages. This edition also features a new introductorion by Duncan Rogers, plus two maps in an endpocket, and two tipped-in portraits of Blumenthal.

Key Features Invaluable addition to the limited library of English-language works dealing with the 1866 campaign

Excellent precis of the Bohemia campaign, primarily from the Prussian point-of-view

New edition features a specially-written introductory essay and tipped-in photographic plates