New Books Network Peter H. Wilson, "Iron and Blood: A Military History of the German-Speaking Peoples Since 1500" (Harvard UP, 2023)
Jan 31, 2026
Peter H. Wilson, Professor of the history of war at Oxford and author of several books on German and European history, challenges the idea of a uniquely German militarism. He compares Holy Roman, Swiss, Austrian, and Prussian military traditions. He traces symbols like the Iron Cross, explores recruitment and militia systems, and reconsiders nineteenth‑century turning points and modern German strategic posture.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Avoiding The Teleological Narrative
- The book resists a teleological march to the world wars and instead treats German-speaking military history on its own broad terms.
- Peter Wilson situates 20th-century conflicts within five centuries to reveal continuities and ruptures.
War In The Age Of Grass
- Early modern warfare in German lands was seasonal, logistics-driven, and dominated by sieges and raiding, especially versus the Ottomans.
- Armies were expensive, episodic, and largely disbanded after campaigning seasons.
Professionalism Without Permanent Pay
- Early soldiers were not untrained amateurs; sustained effectiveness required veterans, training, and cohesion despite irregular pay.
- Recruitment relied on bounties and promises of pay, but funds were often unreliable.
