Written by experts for use by nonexperts, this monumental work probes Germany's "Genius for War" and the unmistakable pattern of tactical and operational innovation and excellence evident throughout the nation's military history. Despite having the best military forces in the world, some of the most advanced weapons available, and unparalleled tactical proficiency, Germany still lost both World Wars. This landmark, four-volume encyclopedia explores how and why that happened, at the same time examining Germany as a military power from the start of the Thirty Years' War in 1618 to the present day. Coverage includes the Federal Republic of Germany, its predecessor states, and the kingdoms and principalities that combined to form Imperial Germany in 1871. The Seven Years' War is discussed, as are the Napoleonic Wars, the Wars of German Unification (including the Franco-Prussian War), World War I, World War II, and the Cold War. In all, more than 1,000 entries illuminate battles, organizations, leaders, armies, weapons, and other aspects of war and military life. The most comprehensive overview of German military history ever to appear in English, this work will enable students and others interested in military history to better understand the sociopolitical history of Germany, the complex role conflict has played in the nation throughout its history, and why Germany continues to be an important player on the European continent. Pulls together all the historical military threads that resulted in modern Germany Examines wars, battles, leaders, weapons, and strategy and tactics Features contributors from 14 countries, including official historians from America, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Estonia Offers biographies of selected German military leaders who made significant contributions in non-German wars, such as Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, Christian von Zweibrücken, and Johann Gottlieb Rall (American Revolution) and Carl Schurz (American Civil War) Includes 77 original documents, more than half of which were translated into English for the first time for this encyclopedia