Iron and Blood, A Military History of the German Speaking Peoples since 1500.

"Iron and Blood, A Military History of the German Speaking Peoples since 1500" by Peter H. Wilson is a comprehensive study that challenges common misconceptions about German military history. Wilson argues that the military history of German-speaking peoples is similar to that of the rest of Europe and the world, and that the idea of a uniquely German way of war is a myth. He explores the decentralized political and war-making systems of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and rejects the notion of a German 'genius for war' or any connection to 'blood and soil'. The book covers five centuries of history and examines the political, social, and economic factors that influenced military organization. Wilson also discusses Germany's military strategies and failures in World War I and World War II, as well as its post-war rearmament and current role in global arms sales. [Extracted from the article]