Blood and Iron: From Bismarck to Hitler the Von Moltke Family's Impact on German History [Hardcover]

Otto Friedrich (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1995

A chronicle of more than a century of German history focuses on the role played in that history by the Von Moltke family, from a field marshall who won the Franco-Prussian War to a count whom the Gestapo executed for conspiracy. National ad/promo.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Opposing the Nazis from the outset, patriotic lawyer Count Helmuth James von Moltke worked as an analyst in the Third Reich's military intelligence headquarters, where he clandestinely supported the anti-Hitler resistance and devised a blueprint for a democratic Germany. Arrested by the Gestapo, he was executed in 1945, months after Hitler narrowly escaped a detonated bomb in an assassination attempt by his generals. Von Moltke abhorred Nazism as a terrible perversion of Prussian traditions that had been ratified in part by his great-great-uncle, Bismarck's field marshal, Helmuth Carl Bernhard von Moltke, who captured Paris in 1871 in the Franco-Prussian War. Yet Field Marshal von Moltke scorned "that ill weed Democracy," and his nephew and namesake, General Helmuth von Moltke, German chief of staff in WWI, worked out the strategic plan for a two-front war against France and Russia that led him and his country to ruin. Peopling a vivid canvas with cameos of Wagner, Nietzsche, Brecht, Thomas Mann and others, prolific U.S. historian Friedrich recreates modern German history through the prism of the von Moltke family in a gripping political and military chronicle. Photos.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Harvard-educated historian Friedrich (Kingdom of Auschwitz, HarperCollins 1994) has written a multifaceted volume that is at once historical narrative, biography, and engrossing family history. The Von Moltke family epitomized Prussian nobility and the upper-class vanguard of a society in the newly created German state. Theirs is a story of 100 years of German history in which Von Moltke family members played crucial roles in turbulent European diplomacy and power struggles from the Franco-Prussian War (1871) through World War II. Field Marshal Von Moltke, who took Paris in 1871 and made Germany the dominant power in Europe, was the great great uncle of Count Helmuth James Von Moltke, who was implicated and later executed by the Gestapo in 1945 for conspiring against Hitler. In choosing the Von Moltkes, Friedrich chronicles, assesses, and illuminates an often tragic century of German history?a history as much of Bismarck, Hitler, Wagner, Strauss, Mann, and Brecht. Friedrich's engaging, accessible style puts this tumultuous period in Europe in reach of lay readers, history buffs, and scholars alike. Excellent complementary reading on Helmuth Von Moltke is found in Caleb Carr's chapter, "The Man of Silence," in Robert Cowley's Experience of War (Norton, 1992).?Thomas G. Anton, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins; 1st edition (November 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060168668
• ISBN-13: 978-0060168667
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #863,869 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The field marshal, the 'nervous nephew,' and the martyr, February 28, 2002

By 

Andrew S. Rogers (Stamford, Connecticut) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Blood and Iron: From Bismarck to Hitler the Von Moltke Family's Impact on German History (Paperback)

In the relatively brief history of Germany as a unitary state (131 years old this year), few non-royal families have played as important a role as the von Moltke family. In a time when the 'sweeping family saga' is a popular fiction genre, the fact that this story isn't only true, but also extremely well written, should commend it to any reader with an interest in European history.

Of course, the von Moltke family's impact actually reaches back before the Reich into the history of Prussia. The first of three men Otto Friedrich focuses on, Field Marshal Helmuth von Moltke (1800-1891), was Prussia's key military strategist during the Franco-Prussian War, and possibly Germany's greatest strategist ever, surpassing even his friend and mentor, Clausewitz. His nephew and namesake, General Helmuth von Moltke (1848-1916), on the other hand, was nervous, indecisive, and largely unable to deal with the responsibilities of command that came to him in part due to his famous name. The third Helmuth, Count Helmuth James von Moltke (1907-1945), was one of nature's noblemen. A liberal (in the European sense), he was actively involved in the opposition to Hitler and Nazism -- a fact that led to his execution shortly before the Reich's own collapse. The letters Helmuth James wrote from prison, to his wife most notably, but to others as well, are deeply moving, and filled with a Christian spirit that reminded me of St Paul's own epistles from prison.

Otto Friedrich is a tremendously skilled historian, and also an excellent writer. 'Blood and Iron' is well documented, logically presented, and also very readable. Plus, he's not afraid to share his opinions and interpretations, most particularly in 'A Note on Sources' following the close of the narrative. His insights there on other documents and histories are well worth reading. As, indeed, is this entire book. I recommend it very highly.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smooth reading., August 6, 2009

By 

Douglas E. Libert "howitt" (parkersburg wv) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Blood and Iron: From Bismarck to Hitler the Von Moltke Family's Impact on German History (Paperback)

This highly readable book focuses specifically on the lives of 3 male Von Moltke with Prussian backgrounds-2 military and one with civilian influences.The beginning traces the family roots which find the family mainly in Denmark and Prussia(pre-Germany) during the 1100's AD and after.The family during this period is aristocratic and strongly military influenced sort of a "warlord for hire" type.
The first Von Moltke covered in the book whose carreer encompasses almost 2/3 of the book,is the hero of the Franco-Prussian War(1871)Field Marshall Helmuth Karl Von Moltke.The Field Marshal was the "genius " behind the WArs of German Unity throughout the 1840's -1860's.Fascinatingly enough he was 71 years old at the time of the war. At this time there was no Germany per-se,just a few powerful German speaking nation states of which Prussia came to dominate over due to its economic power and its potent army.Relations between France and Germany at this time are anything but friendly with a history of both declaring war on each other so many times it's hard to assess blame.England sort of sits back and let them fight it out without interference as long as neither France nor the German states dominate Europe.Helmuth does not come across as someone who glorifies in militaristic options but does not back down from a threat either.The book goes into detail about the Field Marshal's life in regard to the formation of modern Germany and discusses Bismarck and Nietzche. The epithet on the Field Marshals' tombstone reads"Love is the fulfilling of the law". This would show how distant he would be from the National Socialists of the 1930's.Ironically his grave was purportedly looted by Gypsies after WW2 to obtain metal for repairing pans.
The second Moltke covered is a nephew Helmuth Johannes who often receives the blame for the German disaster at the first battle of the Marne(1915).The author spends alot of time going over Moltke's correspondence in regard to mobilization of the German army after the assasination of Archduke Ferdinand.He focuses on how Helmuth John tried to avoid the mobilizations but when he saw the die was cast for the war he put German interests first.Helmuth John on numerous occasions refused to accept command and the author gives proof that Helmuth had command pushed upon him rather than he himself seeking it.After the 1st Marne where Germany was stalemated/defeated Helmuth Johannes health broke and he died shortly after.It seems as if the responsibility and unsureness of the need for the war finished him,or so implies the author.This shows how sensitive in fact the VonMoltkes were,and didn't take war as a pleasure or game!
The final Moltke covered is Helmuth James who was executed in 1945 for speaking against Hitler. What's interesting as the author points out is that Helmuth James was a very early critic of the Nazis but he more or less got away his comments until the Nazis began losing the war. The author says that Helmuth James had that aristocratic "artsy" love for freedom and the critical,thoughtful, expression of it.The Nazis sort of left him alone as a "cracked artist" until they disastrously began losing the war,then Helmuth James became more of a prophet. Everyone knows what happens to prophets if they're right!!I'm glad I had the opportunity to read this book about a real German family of real patriots.The cynical barbs of Nietzche lightly sprinkled throughout the book,add to the enjoyment.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Family History; A German History, July 1, 2009

By 

Cody Carlson (Salt Lake City, UT United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Blood and Iron: From Bismarck to Hitler the Von Moltke Family's Impact on German History (Paperback)

In "Blood & Iron: From Bismarck to Hitler the Von Moltke Family's Impact on German History" Otto Friedrich offers a stirring and insightful portrait into one family's political and military connection to Germany. The book traces three generations of Von Moltkes, from the famed field marshal whose mighty Prussian Army united Germany, to his nephew the general who failed to win the First World War in its opening weeks, to his grand nephew who was arrested and executed as a resister to Adolf Hitler.

The book is well-written and contains a strong narrative for all three subjects, with the second von Moltke receiving the fewest pages. Helmuth Carl Bernhard von Moltke is presented in all of his military glory as the founder of the modern German military and the reformer of the General Staff system. Friedrich traces his rise in the Prussian officer corps then illustrates his brilliance as he participated in and directed the three wars of German unification in the 19th century.

Helmuth Johannes Ludwig von Moltke is described as "The Nervous Nephew" for his indecision at the outbreak of World War One. His reluctance to take up the mantle held by his uncle as Chief of the General Staff is considered by the author as is the disaster that occurred on the Marne in 1914 after the Kaiser insisted that he did. While one feels profound admiration for the first von Moltke, one feels nothing but pity for his nephew.

Helmuth James von Moltke deserves a place alongside Stauffenberg, Scholl, and the other brave resisters to Hitler's tyranny. The evolution of Moltke's opposition to the Nazi regime is chronicled, as is his eventual discovery and arrest. Friedrich offers with sympathy and awe a man driven by conscience and Christian duty to resist Nazism and help plan for a future without Hitler.

This book is fine addition to any library on German history and is a delight to read. I highly recommend it.