Customer Reviews

German Wars 1914-1945

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This book, written by a Canadian history professor, gives an unbiased outline of the causes of both World Wars. I have used it in my university history courses and it has enabled me write essays that approach the origins of the First World War from quite a different perspective than the current Anglo/American view that Germany was entirely responsible for both wars. After a thorough study of this book, I am firmly convinced that Germany was no more guilty of causing the first catastrophe than any of the other belligerents and, considering that she was always outnumbered by the rest of the Allies, including Britain and her colonies, France, Russia and, near the end of the war, the USA, she fought magnificently. If there had been no First World War there would most certainly never have been a Second; Germany would probably have developed into a constitutional monarchy, like some other European states,and Hitler would never have achieved power.

Its ridiculous that no one has cared to comment on this book. it goes into great depth on both world war one and world war two. its really a great book, i came here to try and find a review and see what other people thought of the book, but no one has said anything. to anyone who sees this i say its a great book, and one of the best historical accounts of world war 1 ever written !!!!

I actually had the good fortune to have this man as my history professor at Brock University for a semester (he was a retired Colonel in the Canadian armed forces). We were studying military tactics in the 19th and 20th century and naturally it was recommended that we buy and read his book.

The book focus's on the idea that the first and second world war were not seperate events but rather one long war with a period of peace between the 2 conflicts. To support this idea, the book delves into the political/social and economic factors that lead to the first world war. Following the first world war, the book presents more political, social and economic factors that inevitibly lead to the second world war.

The 2 wars themselves are not covered in much detail except for the major strategies of each country involved. The strategies are criticized/applauded as being great/bad and are reviewed in great detail.

The book itself is a little dry at times especially in the events leading up to WWI, but it's a fascinating idea that the 2 wars are so closely tied especially in light of all the political events that are revealed.
Discussions on strategy are also very indepth and interesting.

I recommend it to anyone who is interested in political/social/economic background of the 2 wars and the major countries strategies in each war.

I do believe that I have read almost every major book about WWII ever written. As a soldier in Europe for more than 6 years in the 80's I visited all of the battle sites from Normandy to Bastogne, Sicily to Berlin and places between. My father was a bombadier in the B-17 during the war and I've been a history buff since I was a child living in Germany, France and Britain during my father's military career. I include all this bio information only for a little credibility. "The German Wars" goes beyond "Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" and even Toland's "Adolph Hitler" to really get into the reasons behind the war. Not making it a separate conflict from WWI but rather a continuation gives an insight which, I believe, future historians will find as the way to explain the insanity of the 20th century. This book should be mandatory reading in our universities and should be a part of anyone's library even generally interested in WWII. Far and away my very favorite book on the era.

The German Wars is a refreshing and honest portrayal of a period of world history that is still subject to strong emotion. I especially appreciated the revealing glimpse at the political machinations by France and Russia that almost guaranteed World War I, and the revelation of state-sponsored terrorism by Serbia that is recognizable in the same region today. The author also clearly sets out that it was in Germany's best interest to prevent war in 1914, and that she strove to limit the flames to a minor conflict in the Balkans, rather that allow the fighting to engulf the world as it did. It is difficult to escape the conclusion that the Allied Powers, not Germany and her allies, bear the lion's share of the blame for World War I, and of course without World War I there would have been no Hitler and World War II. The author's style is also ladened with a dry humor that makes the book a great read, whether you agree with him or not.

A marvelous book, well written, interesting, and as close to a 'page turner' as a history can be. The conventional wisdom that the Kaiser and the German people were mindlessly bent on the destruction of Western Europe does not stand up to the facts presented by Goodspeed.

If you're comfortable with the time-honored image of the evil German aggressor, don't read this book. If you have an interest in the truth behind a complex period of European history, "The German Wars" is a wonderful place to start.

I agree with the previous review. This book offered provocative conclusions about the origins of World War I: first, that precipitating the war and bringing in the reluctant British was the aim of French and Russian diplomacy, and second, that Serbia was a "rougue terrorist nation"--my words, not Goodspeed's--wholly undeserving of the support provided by Russia in the weeks after Franz Ferdinand's assassination. The history of the Balkans from about 1871 to 1914 provided by the first two chapters is very valuable and relevant given today's headlines.

This book is a sort of old-fashioned diplomatic and military history which seems to be out of fashion today. It focuses on an overall strategic view of the two wars. Such a view contrasts sharply with, say, the focus on soldiers' experiences which the PBS documentary "The Great War" presented.

We've been lucky to get several the well written histories that have "recently" appeared. First, Shelby Foote's "The Civil War" and now Goodspeed's "The German Wars".

Goodspeed's work has a ring of truth that overwhelms the nationalistic superficial "history" we've been fed to date.

A good "read". Thought provoking, oppinionated (and convincing). Time for "conventional" history to be rewritten. One can't but feel "oh, so that's how it was". The light finally shines on some dark corners.

Highly recommended.

An old WWII vet.