"Speaking of Prussians--"

"Speaking of Prussians--" by Irvin S. Cobb is a first-person account from the early 1900s, set during World War I, where an American journalist shares his observations on the war's impact. The book primarily discusses the Prussian military philosophy and how it played out in countries like Belgium and France that were invaded. Cobb gives an insider's perspective on the war's gruesome scenes and also highlights the psychological state of the German troops. In "Speaking of Prussians—," Cobb blends vivid accounts from what he saw with thoughtful commentary on warfare and military leadership. He shares stories of destruction in Belgian villages, the suffering of those displaced by the war, and the sharp contrast between the military's order and the atrocities committed against innocent people. He voices a strong dislike for war but admits it is sometimes needed to protect freedom and national pride. The story suggests that the Prussian way of war, a mechanized and unforgiving method, seems dangerously disconnected from basic human values. Through touching stories and social analysis, Cobb urges American readers to see the risks of militarism and to stand up for democracy against controlling forces.