Lawrence Sondhaus is a historian whose work focuses on military history. His research delves into the complexities of warfare, exploring its strategic, political, and social dimensions across different eras. Sondhaus brings a deep analytical perspective to the study of conflict, examining the forces that shape military operations and their impact on societies. His scholarship offers insightful perspectives for understanding the evolution of warfare and its enduring consequences.
Focusing on the intersection of strategic culture and military approaches, this study offers a comprehensive overview of existing scholarly literature. It aims to fill a significant gap by synthesizing key concepts and insights related to how cultural factors influence warfare strategies. By examining various perspectives, the work serves as an essential resource for understanding the complexities of military thought and practice in different cultural contexts.
THIS STUDY offers a significant new interpretation of the emergence of Germany as a world power. While other histories have focused on the era of Tirpitz and William II--accepting Adm. Alfred Tirpitz's own contention that little of importance happened before he came into office--this book considers the evolution of German sea power within the broader context of German history in the nineteenth century. In doing so, it exposes the myth that German seapower and its connection to Weltpoltik, Germany's drive for world power, originated with Tirpitz in the 1890s. Arguing that Tirpitz merely exploited factors that predated his rise to prominence, the author demonstrates that the central role of the navy in the Second Reich's assertive military posture was the culmination of a long process.A comprehensive operational history, an institutional history, and a political history, the book chronicles the fluctuating fortunes of Germany's navy. It covers the involvement in the German-Danish wars of the 1848-1849, Otto von Bismarck's wars for German unification in 1864, 1866, and 1870, the claiming of the German colonial empire in Africa and the Pacific after 1884, and various instances of gunboat diplomacy.
Did you ever wonder how and why Franz Conrad von Hötzendorf (1852-1925) earned his reputation for brilliance, while failing so miserably during the First World War? In examining Conrad's life and career, including his years as a military writer, teacher of tactics, and a peacetime troop commander before 1906, this first modern biography offers a fascinating and impressive explanation of his thoughts and actions. Franz Conrad von Hötzendorf (1852-1925) served as Austro-Hungarian chief of the general staff between 1906 and 1917, and was a leading figure in the origins and conduct of the First World War. In no other country did a single general serve as the leading prewar tactician, prewar and wartime strategist, and wartime army commander. Because Conrad filled all of these roles in Austria-Hungary, he had no equal among the military men leading the old order of Europe to destruction in 1914-1918.
This naval history of the First World War uncovers the pivotal role of maritime strategies and battles in securing Allied victory. It delves into the contributions of naval forces, highlighting key events and figures that shaped the conflict at sea. Through detailed analysis, the book emphasizes the significance of naval operations in the broader context of the war, offering fresh insights into how these efforts influenced the outcome of the First World War.
The transition from wooden sailing fleets to modern steel navies is explored through significant technological advancements such as steam power, armor, artillery, and torpedoes. The book examines how these innovations reshaped naval strategy and tactics, marking a pivotal shift in maritime warfare.
Slavný román klasika moderní anglické literatury zachycuje na dramatickém příběhu dvou mileneckých dvojic myšlenkové proudy a životní pocity lidí v letech bezprostředně předcházejících první světové válce. Obě hlavní mužské postavy románu, energický mladý uhlobaron Gerald a intelektuální učitel Rupert, zastupují protipóly lidských typů a s tím související zásadně odlišné přístupy k životu, zatímco v jejich partnerkách, sestrách Gudrun a Ursule, ožívá atmosféra doby, kdy si ženy začínaly osobovat práva moderních, emancipovaných, rovnoprávných bytostí. V dynamických dialozích, založených na principu konfrontace protichůdných stanovisek, podbarvených složitou spletí emocionálních vztahů, se autorovi podařilo strhujícím způsobem zobrazit problémy doby, které vyvolával dosud nevídaný technický rozvoj na jedné straně a ztráta víry v životaschopnost západní civilizace na straně druhé. Ženám milujícím věnoval Lawrence sedm let usilovné tvůrčí práce a ze všech svých děl si tohoto románu cenil nejvýše. Novým českým vydáním si připomínáme padesáté výročí autorova úmrtí.
This compelling book explores Germany's disastrous campaign of unrestricted submarine warfare in WWI, which marked the onset of total war at sea. Sondhaus shows how the undersea campaign, intended as an antidote to Britain's more conventional blockade of German ports, ultimately brought the United States into the war, leading to Germany's defeat.
