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Jackboot The Story of the German Soldier
Jackboot The Story of the German Soldier
Author: John Laffin
Condition: New
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John Laffin’s Jackboot: The Story of the German Soldier argues that the image of the German soldier has been unduly shaped by Nazi crimes and instead traces the continuities of Prussian and German military culture from Frederick the Great through the end of World War II. Combining social, institutional and operational history, Laffin examines how Prussian drill, officer professionalization and a warrior ethos—qualities he names as aggression, fortitude, discipline, courage and arrogance—shaped the mentality and battlefield resilience of German soldiers, with case studies ranging from 18th‑century battles and Valmy, Jena and Auerstädt to the Franco‑Prussian War, the Western Front of 1914–18 and the Ardennes in 1944–45.
This compact military‑history survey, published by Barnes & Noble Books (New York, 1995; ISBN 1566197503 / 9781566197502), is organized around soldier‑focused themes—Prussian militarism, doctrine evolution, training and morale—and covers the 18th century, Napoleonic era, 1870–1914 army system, the interwar years and the rise of the Nazi war cult. Geared to readers interested in the human and institutional forces behind Germany’s armies, it foregrounds mentality and combat experience rather than operational minutiae; bibliographic details and subject headings place it squarely within studies of the German and Prussian army, military psychology and 20th‑century campaigns.
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Keywords, content and topics in this Book
Keywords, content and topics in this Book
Bibliographic
Jackboot: The Story of the German Soldier
Author: John Laffin
Publisher: Barnes & Noble Books, New York
Publication year: 1995
ISBN: 1566197503 / 9781566197502
Type of Book
Military history survey
History of the German Army
Soldier-focused study (social and institutional history)
Chronological Scope
18th century warfare
Frederick the Great era
Napoleonic Wars (Valmy; Jena and Auerstädt)
Franco-Prussian War, 1870–1871
German Army system 1870–1914
Interwar period and Nazi rise, 1933–1939
Theater(s) of War (WWI & WWII)
Operations and Campaigns (WWII)
Main Nations and Forces Involved
Focus / Subject
German Army (Prussian and German land forces)
German soldier – mentality, morale, and combat experience
Evolution of Prussian and German military doctrine
Prussian drill and training systems
Nazi war cult (1933–1939)
Notable Figures (as per chapter titles)
Gerhard von Scharnhorst – reformer
August von Gneisenau – reformer
Visual / Illustrative Content
WWI & WWII Thematic Keywords
German Army – World War I
German Army – World War II
Trench warfare (implied by Western Front “bloodbaths of 1915–16”)
Blitzkrieg tactics
Eastern Front attritional warfare
Battle of the Bulge – German perspective
Prussian militarism
Professionalization of the officer corps
Military reform and modernization
Military doctrine and “handbook of war”
Discipline and drill
Combat motivation (“to seek the death of heroes”)
Battlefield experience – “gallantry and gore; courage and carnage”
Class and social division in the army (“two classes of people: soldiers and swine”)
Ideology and indoctrination – Nazi war cult
Geographical / Campaign Keywords
Rossbach (Seven Years’ War battle)
Leuthen
Valmy
Jena and Auerstädt
Franco‑Prussian War 1870–1871
Russian Front (World War II)
Classification / Subject Tags
Germany – History, military
Prussia – Army – History
Germany – Army – History
Soldiers – Germany – History
German militarism – history
World War, 1914–1918 – German forces
World War, 1939–1945 – German Army
World War, 1939–1945 – Campaigns – Eastern Front
World War, 1939–1945 – Campaigns – Western Front – Battle of the Bulge
Nazi ideology and the military
Military psychology – Germany
Military doctrine – Germany – History
Illustrated military history
Book Condition: New
Book Condition: New
You’ve reached the divisional archives. Whether you are looking for the technical blueprints of a Panzer, the gritty memoirs of an infantryman, or a bird’s-eye view of the Pacific Theater, we’ve got your intel right here. Our collection ranges from technical specs and biographies to rare photo journals and historical novels.
Before you enlist a new title into your personal library, check the Condition Report below to see how much action these volumes have seen:
New: Fresh Out of Bootcamp
Flawless and untested. This book is in pristine, new condition and ready for its first assignment.
Like New: Light Combat Experience
Almost new and in great shape. It has clearly been read before and is ready to fight again, but it shows very little wear from its time in the field.
Good: A Few Scars or Shell Shock
A reliable veteran. The book might have some bent corners or a dust cover with a few scratches, but it’s still sturdy and standing tall.
Fair: Battle-Hardened
Visible signs of a long campaign. Expect some stains, bent pages, and perhaps some minor tears on the cover. It’s seen the trenches, but the intel inside is still solid.
Poor: Survived Iwo Jima
This one has been through the meat grinder. It carries noticeable damage, heavy staining, or significant wear—but like any old soldier, it would love to be read one last time before it retires.
