Der Deutsch-Französische Krieg: 1870/71

An often overlooked war that foreshadowed the destruction and horrors to come in Central Europe: the Franco-Prussian War July 19, 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War. Although this was the first modern war between two highly industrialized nations, it is unjustly almost forgotten by today's public. Not only did this war permanently change the map of Europe, it was also the blueprint for the catastrophes of the 20th century. In some respects it even surpassed the First World War: the number of prisoners taken at Sedan and Metz was not surpassed again until 1941 on the Eastern Front. Paris was the first city in history to be completely enclosed. The author plausibly demonstrates in his book that the post-war generations would have done better to learn from the Franco-Prussian War. He cites hitherto hardly noticed sources and letters of soldiers and in this way impressively shows the human and inhuman of this first modern war of Europe.