Franz Conrad Von Hötzendorf: Architect of the Apocalypse

Front Cover
Did you ever wonder how and why Franz Conrad von Hotzendorf (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 Hotzendorf (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.
 

Contents

Chief of the General Staff
17
Scandal and Crisis
109
Disaster
141
Love and
171
Twilight
225
Bibliography
242
Maps
252
Copyright

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About the author (2000)

Lawrence Sondhaus, Ph.D. (1986) in History, University of Virginia, is Associate Professor of History at the University of Indianapolis. His recent publications include "Preparing for Weltpolitik: German Sea Power before the Tripitz Era" (Naval Institute Press, 1997).

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