The Carpathian campaign of 1915; described by some as the "Stalingrad of the First World War;" engaged the million-man armies of Austria-Hungary and Russia in fierce winter combat that drove them to the brink of annihilation. Habsburg forces fought to rescue 130;000 Austro-Hungarian soldiers trapped by Russian troops in Fortress Przemysl; but the campaign was waged under such adverse circumstances that it produced six times as many casualties as the number besieged. It remains one of the least understood and most devastating chapters of the war-a horrific episode only glimpsed previously but now vividly restored to the annals of history by Graydon Tunstall.The campaign; consisting of three separate and ultimately doomed offensives; was the first example of "total war" conducted in a mountainous terrain; and it prepared the way for the great battle of Gorlice-Tarnow. Habsburg troops under Conrad von Htzendorf faced those of General Nikolai Ivanov; which together totaled more than two million soldiers. None of the participants were psychologically or materially prepared to engage in prolonged winter mountain warfare; and hundreds of thousands of soldiers suffered from frostbite or succumbed to the "White Death." Tunstall reconstructs the brutal environment-heavy snow; ice; dense fog; frigid winds-to depict fighting in which a man lasted on average between five to six weeks before he was killed; wounded; captured; or committed suicide. Meanwhile; soldiers warmed rifles over fires to make them operable and slaughtered thousands of horses just to ward off starvation.This riveting depiction of the Carpathian Winter War is the first book-length account of that vicious campaign; as well as the first English-language account of Eastern Front military operations in World War I in more than thirty years. Based on exhaustive research in Vienna's and Budapest's War Archives; Tunstall's gripping narrative incorporates material drawn from eyewitness accounts; personal diaries; army logbooks; and correspondence among members of the high command.As Tunstall shows; the roots of the Habsburg collapse in Russia in 1916 lay squarely in the winter campaign of 1915. Packed with insights from previously unexploited primary sources; his book provides an engrossing read—and the definitive account of the Carpathian Winter War.
#440819 in Books University Press of Kansas 2002-02-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.92 x 1.03 x 6.04l; 1.17 #File Name: 0700614192348 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Objectivity: "That Noble Dream"By GDPStephen Knott's 'Alexander Hamilton the Persistence of Myth' doesn't fit nicely into any typical genre - its neither biography nor a comprehensive historiography but an overview of the broader public image of Alexander Hamilton. It is an image very much manipulated by historians; particularly the sect of Thomas Jefferson worshipers like Dumas Malone; et al. Of course; those historians took their cue from Jefferson himself; a fierce rival of Hamilton's who enjoyed twenty-plus years after Hamilton's death (1804-1826) to construct his own and his principal political opponent's images. Politicians and their faithful ideological flocks have been happy to formulate an image of Hamilton for personal advantages; as well.Written primarily in 2001 and published in 2002; 'Persistence of Myth' pre-dates the current Hamilton craze by over a decade. The book also places the image projected of Alexander Hamilton in the Broadway musical 'Hamilton' in context ... Hamilton the man is a rather protean figure. He can be the visionary of the modern United States of America; a monarchy loving elitist; or the "can-do" immigrant varying upon the craftsmanship of the portrayer.Knott's noteworthy debunking of the "great beast" statement frequently attributed to Hamilton is very effective. References to the "quote" appear repeatedly throughout the book; while the fragile underpinning of its source is surgically belied on p. 155 and fn 27; p. 275. Generations of Americans have had their opinions of Hamilton formed by what appears to be an unsubstantiated tale.While Knott's treatment of Hamilton is a sympathetic advocacy; it doesn't veer off into an anti-Jefferson screed. It seems only intent on achieving a more balanced view of Hamilton; a truly great American (both he and Jefferson were "great") The greatness of the Founding Fathers is not a zero-sum game. In fact; America is the dialectic outcome of Hamiltonian and Jeffersonian visions; which; fortunately; are always in tension.In addition to being political rivals; Hamilton and Jefferson serve as foils for one another. Exposition of their contrasts; which are necessary for understanding either man; often appear as criticisms. Knott's subject; however; is not Jefferson per se; but the crafters of Jefferson's image. Only the prickliest Jefferson lovers would likely object to Knott's treatment (and they have!).In a 1922 speech Calvin Coolidge; who himself has been subject to wavering public opinion; stated that “when America ceases to remember [Hamilton's] greatness; America will be no longer great†(p. 109). To appreciate the greatness of Hamilton there are several key resources available. Ron Chernow's 'Alexander Hamilton' is among them; as is Forrest McDonald's 'Novus Ordo Seclorum'. Carson Holloway's 'Hamilton versus Jefferson in the Washington Administration' is a worthwhile read. 'Persistence of Myth' is another.Addressing the issue of reputation and character; Abraham Lincoln used a simile: "The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing." So too with Hamilton - to remind ourselves of his greatness we have to look past the shadow and find the tree as best we can.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Great book on a great Founding Father!By BetseyA must-read book on Alexander Hamilton! Very well argued!2 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A remarkable book... it must be a part of your Founding Fathers library!By V. BenedettoStephen Knott knows his subject matter! In a time when understanding our Founding Fathers (what they meant; what they stood for; and why they knew it to be right for mankind for all time) is more important then ever; Knott brings Hamilton into full view. Only then; can we see him more purely and better understand why he rightfully was; among the Founders; a lion. Hamilton's fingerprints are everywhere on our Nation... which is why understanding him more clearly; through a more accurate prism; is essential. 'Persistence of Myth' does this and more... - Vince Benedetto
