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The Guns of Europe: The Forest of Swords, The Hosts of the Air

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The Guns of Europe, The Forest of Swords & The Hosts of the Air: The World War Trilogy

by Jason Allen-Paisant

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4047 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	332 pages

The Guns of Europe: The Forest of Swords, The Hosts of the Air is a historical novel by Robert Conroy. The novel is set in the years leading up to World War I and follows the lives of three young men from different backgrounds as they are drawn into the conflict.

The first of these young men is Otto von Bismarck, the future Chancellor of Germany. Bismarck is a brilliant and ambitious politician who is determined to unite Germany under Prussian leadership. The second young man is Helmuth von Moltke, the future Chief of the German General Staff. Moltke is a brilliant military strategist who is convinced that Germany can win a war against France.

The third young man is Erich von Falkenhayn, the future Chief of the German General Staff. Falkenhayn is a brilliant artillery officer who is convinced that Germany can win a war against Russia. These three young men are all brilliant and ambitious, and they are all convinced that they can play a role in shaping the future of Europe. However, they are also all flawed, and their ambitions will ultimately lead them to disaster.

The novel begins in 1870, with the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War. Bismarck, Moltke, and Falkenhayn all play key roles in the German victory. The war ends with the Treaty of Frankfurt, which unites Germany under Prussian leadership. Bismarck becomes Chancellor of Germany, and Moltke becomes Chief of the General Staff.

In the years that follow, Bismarck works to consolidate German power and isolate France. He also forms alliances with Austria-Hungary and Italy. Moltke, meanwhile, develops plans for a war against France. Falkenhayn, for his part, develops plans for a war against Russia.

In 1914, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand triggers the outbreak of World War I. Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy declare war on France, Russia, and Great Britain. Bismarck, Moltke, and Falkenhayn all play key roles in the German war effort. However, the war does not go as planned. The Germans are defeated at the Battle of the Marne, and they are forced to retreat. Moltke is replaced as Chief of the General Staff by Falkenhayn.

Falkenhayn continues to lead the German war effort, but he is unable to achieve a breakthrough. The war drags on for years, and it becomes increasingly clear that Germany cannot win. In 1918, Germany is forced to surrender. Bismarck, Moltke, and Falkenhayn are all discredited. They are all forced to retire from public life, and they all die in obscurity.

The Guns of Europe: The Forest of Swords, The Hosts of the Air is a tragic story of ambition and failure. The novel is a reminder of the dangers of nationalism and militarism. It is also a reminder of the importance of peace.

The Guns of Europe, The Forest of Swords & The Hosts of the Air: The World War Trilogy

by Jason Allen-Paisant

4.1 out of 5