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Gustavus V Wallenstein
Military Revolution, Rivalry & Tragedy in The Thirty Years War
by
John Pike
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Gustavas Adolphus King of Sweden and Albrecht von Wallenstein Duke of Friedland, minus their other nomenclature and titles, were the two giants of the middle years of the Thirty Years War. Their titanic clash sent shockwaves throughout Europe. The author, Mr. Pike, has written an extremely detailed work on these two protagonists and the history and times that made them. In doing so, he has brought Wallenstein out of Gustavus's shadow. Far too many books only give us a small glimpse of Wallenstein compared to the Swedish King.
The book gives a detailed account of the early years of the war and its whys and wheres. Then it takes us on a biographical trip of both men before the war even started. With great precision we are shown how Sweden went from an underdeveloped backwater to a major player in European politics. Likewise, the author shows us how Wallenstein, using his own financial genius, was able to turn the tide of the war toward the Hapsburg cause. Wallenstein was able to make the war pay for itself. This was without the excesses that had accompanied the early part of the war.
The book is a large one coming in at over 500 pages. It also has a good number of pictures of the main characters and lithographs from the time. I congratulate the author for also interspersing a good number of excellent maps. I cannot state strongly enough that in military histories these are invaluable to the reader and make it so much easier to follow along with the action. It also gives the reader so much more insight into why things happened the way they did.
The author finishes up his history of the two men and their clash by delving into the military revolution that occurred then. He shows that Gustavus took Maurice of Nassau's ideas and improved on them. Wallenstein is also shown as an incredible organizer and logistical wizard. The reader is also shown how much all the armies in the Thirty Years War relied on field entrenchments. We sometimes think that armies entrenching themselves started in the 19th century. The book shows us that even at this time the armies entrenched themselves as much as or more than the Romans.
Their titanic struggle, after Wallenstein's reinstatement, is gone into great detail by the author. The ultimate clash at the Battle of Lutzen between the two is shown to us in minute detail.
This is an excellent history of the two warriors, and I can easily recommend it to anyone remotely interested in the time period. Thank you, Casemate Publishers for allowing me to review this fine book.
Robert Peterson
Book: Gustavus V Wallenstein
Author: John Pike
Publisher: Pen & Sword Military
Distributor: Casemate Publishers
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