Originally published in 1892, this is a memoir of German Field Marshal Helmuth Graf von Moltke (the Elder), chief of staff of the Prussian Army for 30 years, compiled from numerous personal journals, letters, and notes. It also draws on his father’s memoirs and one of Moltke’s tales, “The Two Friends.” Richly illustrated throughout with drawings by Moltke, portraits and facsimile letters. “THE nature of the subject of this volume rendered it impossible that the contents should appear as if cast in one mould. This circumstance might be regarded as a defect, but its justification will be found partly in the many-sided character of a long and eventful life, which showed a rich development and a mature perfection of every human faculty, and partly in the fact that for some periods of this life original authorities were lacking. The volume is therefore intended, as was inevitable, to produce its effect by the impression it makes as a whole. Our knowledge of the Field-Marshal must be supplemented from notes regarding his family and his own life, from journals of travels, and records of the many impulses, scientific and artistic, to which his travels gave rise; further, from an attempt in the region of Belles Lettres—the novel of “The Two Friends,” in which he, the man of eight-and-twenty, paints himself true to the life; finally, from the vigorous productions of his old age, with their strivings after the highest truth, which, under the title of “Consolatory Thoughts,” form the conclusion of the volume.”- Editor’s Note
Originally published in 1907, this is the translation by the British Army War Office of Field Marshal Moltke’s military papers relating to the war of 1866 (first published in their original German in 1896). “A NEW light was thrown upon the campaign of 1864 by the publication, in 1892, of Moltke’s military correspondence during that war—a volume which revealed, as nothing published before it had done, the brilliant abilities and resolute character of the Prussian general. That delightful volume was followed, in 1896, by the publication of a selection from Moltke’s military papers relating to the war of 1866...They are divided into four parts, collected under the headings of preparation, mobilization, and deployment, the actual operations, the truce and peace. The chief interest of these disclosures lies in the first part, for it is the arrangements for the first deployment and subsequent concentration of the Prussian Army that have formed the principal subject of controversy in regard to this campaign. Moreover, since the construction of railways, the great importance which always in every campaign has attached to the opening has been, if anything, increased. The opening is usually arranged with a deliberation impossible in the subsequent stages of the action. It is the part of the game which admits of the completest study beforehand, and it is the part in which for this campaign abundant evidence is now given. Moltke’s colleagues of the Staff have told us since his death that they were much impressed by his habitual effort to think things out, and that he used in this process to assist himself by putting his thoughts on paper and rewriting his analysis or his argument again and again until he found it satisfactory.”
Containing a wealth of material on a variety of subjects, Light for the New Millennium tells the story of the meeting of two great men and their continuing relationship beyond the threshold of death: Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925)--the seer, scientist of the spirit, and cultural innovator--and Helmuth von Moltke (1848-1916)--a renowned military man, Chief of the General Staff of the German army during the outbreak of World War I. In 1914, following disagreements with the Kaiser, Moltke was dismissed from his post. This led to a great inner crisis in the General, that in turn drew him closer to Steiner. When Moltke died two years later, Steiner maintained contact with his excarnated soul, receiving communications that he passed on to Moltke's wife, Eliza. These remarkable and unique messages are reproduced here in full, together with relevant letters from the General to his wife. The various additional commentaries, essays and documents give insights to themes of continuing significance for our time, including the workings of evil; karma and reincarnation; life after death; the new millennium and the end of the last century; the hidden causes of World War I; the destiny of Europe, and the future of Rudolf Steiner's science of the spirit. Also included are Moltke's private reflections on the causes of the Great War ("the document that could have changed world history"), a key interview with Steiner for Le Matin, an introduction and notes by T. H. Meyer, and studies by Jürgen von Grone, Jens Heisterkamp and Johannes Tautz.
Available for the first time in English, a moving prison correspondence between a husband and wife who resisted the Nazis. Tegel prison, Berlin, in the fall of 1944. Helmuth James von Moltke is awaiting trial for his leading role in the Kreisau Circle, one of the most important German resistance groups against the Nazis. By a near miracle, the prison chaplain at Tegel is Harald Poelchau, a friend and coconspirator of Helmuth and his wife, Freya. From Helmuth’s arrival at Tegel in late September 1944 until the day of his execution by the Nazis on January 23, 1945, Poelchau would carry Helmuth’s and Freya’s letters in and out of prison daily, risking his own life. Freya would safeguard these letters for the rest of her long life. Last Letters is a profoundly personal record of the couple’s fortitude in the face of fascism.
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