"A new view of the years of Prussian reform is presented here, showing the military impact of Revolutionary and Napoleonic France on Prussia, the nature of the challenge, the efforts of Prussian institutions and society to master the new situation, the obstacles, and changes.
Originally published in 1966."
After the catastrophe of 1806 with their army restricted to 42,000 men, the Prussians embarked on a series of reforms 'with vengeance definitely in mind.' This volume provides evidence of that reform period.
Without the French Alliance and the support rendered before and after the Alliance, the Americans might not have won. Interestingly, the Continental Army much preferred the French Charleville musket to the Brown Bess. In point of fact it became the issue musket for the Continental Army and was the model for the excellent 1795 model Springfield musket which was used during the War of 1812.
Rochambeau's excellent expeditionary force, along with critical French naval support, enabled the allied victory at Yorktown and the surrender of a second British army during the war.
A failed American Revolution - now that is food for thought! I'm not trying to start a debate though.....
That was the Amazon blurb which I forgot to place in quotation marks. That is now corrected and thanks for the 'catch.'
The Prussian reform period is interesting to study (although they did abolish their artillery school which had been established only in 1791 and was sorely needed).
Of much more historical significance is the French reform period after the Seven Years' War which affected the army and the navy and which enabled the French to enter the War of the American Revolution without which the Americans would have failed.
The French reformers, led by the Duc de Choiseul, completely remade the French artillery (introducing field artillery into the French service), trained professional staff officers, did tactical experiments in Normandy and at Metz and produced the Reglement of 1791. Unfortunately, the cavalry was not affected as much, and that would definitely happen under Napoleon.
What the French reform period did produce was an army that would eventually survive and become the Grande Armee.
Thanks Kevin, though I am iterested that you write 'a new view', for I recall using this tome as an important reference while studying the Prussian reforms at university in 1980!
Good to see it republished.