The Campaign of Sedan: The Downfall of the Second Empire, August-September 1870

In just thirty days the 1870 campaign that led to the fall of the Second Empire unfolded with the intensity of a battlefield drama. This concise history follows the rapid French mobilization, the German response, and the decisive movements that culminated in the encirclement at Sedan. Detailed maps and plans let listeners picture the terrain as the armies clashed.

The author draws heavily on the meticulous German staff reports, translating their technical detail into a readable narrative while noting the gaps in French accounts. By contrasting the organizational spirit and discipline of the Prussian army with the hasty, often indecisive French leadership, the book reveals why the French troops fought bravely yet were outmatched. Listeners gain insight into the broader political stakes, from the Hohenzollern candidacy to the diplomatic missteps that set the war in motion.