Instrument of War

"Forged in the fires of German unification in the 19th century, the Imperial German Army was the ultimate expression of national identity. It was a conscript citizen army, designed to achieve a quick, decisive victory, and was focused on intelligence, mobility and firepower; yet it was doomed to fight a war of long duration dispersed throughout numerous theaters, failing to capitalize on its victories or learn from its defeats. Drawing on more than a half-century of research and teaching, Professor Dennis Showalter presents a fresh perspective on the German Army during World War I, exploring its internal dynamics and operational strategy, sand shows how both the army and Germany itself were changed by war."--Back cover