Originally published in 1892, this is a memoir of German Field Marshal Helmuth Graf von Moltke (the Elder), chief of staff of the Prussian Army for 30 years, compiled from numerous personal journals, letters, and notes. It also draws on his father’s memoirs and one of Moltke’s tales, “The Two Friends.” Richly illustrated throughout with drawings by Moltke, portraits and facsimile letters. “THE nature of the subject of this volume rendered it impossible that the contents should appear as if cast in one mould. This circumstance might be regarded as a defect, but its justification will be found partly in the many-sided character of a long and eventful life, which showed a rich development and a mature perfection of every human faculty, and partly in the fact that for some periods of this life original authorities were lacking. The volume is therefore intended, as was inevitable, to produce its effect by the impression it makes as a whole. Our knowledge of the Field-Marshal must be supplemented from notes regarding his family and his own life, from journals of travels, and records of the many impulses, scientific and artistic, to which his travels gave rise; further, from an attempt in the region of Belles Lettres—the novel of “The Two Friends,” in which he, the man of eight-and-twenty, paints himself true to the life; finally, from the vigorous productions of his old age, with their strivings after the highest truth, which, under the title of “Consolatory Thoughts,” form the conclusion of the volume.”- Editor’s Note

When Helmuth von Moltke took over as Chief of the Prussian General Staff, the Prussian army had not fought for more than forty years. Yet within a decade and a half he had brought it to the point where it was the strongest in Europe. His successes on the battle field led to his methods being painstakingly analyzed by commentators and slavishly imitated by Western armies. His success was not only due to far sighted strategic planning, the comprehensive reorganization of the General Staff and his grasp of new technologies; it was also due to his leadership of a talented, if disparate, group of subordinates, even if some of them sometimes failed to grasp his overall intentions. This book examines these key relationships. Foremost among these was his collaboration with the able though choleric Karl Leonhard von Blumenthal; their correspondence reflected every aspect of their campaigns. He was also close to the Crown Prince, whose aide de camp he had been. Moltke was Chief of Staff to Prince Frederick Charles in Denmark in 1864; his admiration for the ‘Red Prince’ was perhaps not maintained when the latter’s caution caused problems. Albrecht von Stosch, Intendant General in 1870–1871, proved brilliantly successful when he had the chance to demonstrate his talents in the field. Edwin von Manteuffel, on whose recommendation Moltke was appointed, was at the centre of Prussian politics for a decade and a half before becoming a successful army commander in 1866, and 1870–1871. Perhaps the most talented of Moltke's subordinates was August von Goeben, a successful commander in all three wars of German unification. August von Werder never enjoyed Moltke's confidence to the same extent, but was extremely reliable. On the other hand both Eduard Vogel von Falckenstein and Karl von Steinmetz caused Moltke considerable difficulty by their stubborn disobedience of his explicit orders. Behind these relationships there existed the vital rapport which Moltke had with their Chiefs of Staff and his own general staff officers. It was on his ability to rely on these men to execute his intentions that his success ultimately depended. Theophil von Podbielski, Julius Verdy du Vernois and Paul Bronsart von Schellendorf were some of the brilliant individuals who constituted one of the most powerful teams in military history.