The Armies of Europe

"The Armies of Europe" by Fedor von Köppen is a late 19th-century exploration of the military might of European nations during a period of intense arms development and impending war, offering key insights into the structure, power, and characteristics of various armies, and it's critical role in foreign policy and military strategy. Using the British Army as a case study, the book emphasizes the need for military readiness as a means to preserve peace, analyzing the unique aspects of the British military's organization, recruitment process, and overall size, especially compared to other major European powers that relied on larger standing armies, setting up a broader comparison of European military structures and strategies.