"Forged in the fires of German unification in the 19th century, the German Army in 1914 was the ultimate expression of national identity; yet, despite its tactical and operational successes on the battlefields of World War I, it failed to either capitalize on its victories or learn from its defeats. Drawing on more than a half-century of research and teaching, Professor Dennis Showalter analyzes its place in German society, the challenges of modernization and advances in technology and tactics to tell the story of the German Army of 1914-1918 as an institution: an instrument of war."--Publisher description.

Portents and preliminaries -- Autumn of decision -- Reevaluating -- Verdun and the Somme: end of an army -- Reconfigurations -- Climax and denouement.