Richard Overy

The roots of 20th-century German aggression

Long before the rise of Prussian militarism, German states fought bitter internecine wars and provided formidable mercenaries for other nations, says Peter Wilson

Sixteenth-century Landsknechts (German mercenaries) by Ludwig Burger. [Alamy]

  • Iron and Blood: A Military History of the German-Speaking Peoples Since 1500

    Peter Wilson

    Allen Lane, pp. 877, £40

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There’s a new book out that depicts Irish people as gurning ginger-haired imbeciles who do Irish jigs in the garden and eat bacon and cabbage every day. Who produced this offensive tome? Must have been some Neanderthal bigots, right, who wish it was still the 1970s and still acceptable to Paddy-bash? Actually, it was a

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