Die Hessen und die andern deutschen Hilfstruppen im Kriege gross-britanniens gegen Amerika, 1776-1783

This work shines a light on the German auxiliaries—often lumped together under the name “Hessians”—who fought for Britain during the American Revolution. Drawing on a wealth of contemporary documents, the author explains how the lucrative subsidy contracts between British officials and a patchwork of German princes brought thousands of soldiers across the Atlantic. He also unpacks the myths that grew back in the German homelands, showing how differing opinions arose from a lack of context and incomplete research.

The narrative walks listeners through the political and military calculations of the era, revealing the motivations of both the princes who rented out troops and the men who answered the call. By situating these forces within the broader currents of 17th‑ and 18th‑century European politics, the book offers a nuanced portrait of a little‑known chapter of the war, inviting a fresh understanding of the people who lived it.