The War Diary of the Emperor Frederick III, 1870 - 1871 - Historical

In this review of The War Diary of the Emperor Frederick III, 1870 - 1871 the author A R Allinson presents a direct, personal account aimed at readers who value primary testimony from a key historical figure. The book is best for students of 19th century military history and readers seeking unembellished daily impressions from the 1870-71 campaign, because the diary records contemporaneous experiences supplemented by correspondence rather than later reinterpretation. This review explains why the work is useful as a primary source and what readers should expect in tone and content.

Key Features

• Original diary text: Offers day-to-day entries that capture the Emperor's immediate impressions during the 1870-71 campaign, providing firsthand material for historians.
• Supplementary correspondence: Includes extracts from letters exchanged with his wife that help fill gaps and clarify events noted in the diary under military pressure.
• Unaltered perspective: The editor emphasizes that the diary records personal feelings and experiences without later revision, preserving contemporary viewpoint.
• Historical apparatus: Contains a foreword, preface, appendix and index that assist researchers in navigating the text and contextualizing entries.
• Published edition: Originally published in 1927, the volume reflects early 20th century editorial practice and sourcing useful to readers of period scholarship.

Who It's For

This edition is most valuable for readers interested in military memoirs, 19th century European history, and those conducting research on the 1870-71 war who need contemporaneous testimony rather than later analysis. Graduate students, historians, and serious enthusiasts will appreciate the level of primary detail and the supporting documents.

Less suitable for casual readers seeking a narrative history or modern commentary, since the diary is personal, occasionally fragmentary, and focused on daily impressions rather than comprehensive strategic analysis. Readers wanting a modern, interpretive overview should look for secondary works that synthesize wider sources.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides authentic, day-by-day impressions making it a useful primary source for research.
• The included correspondence and appendix add context that supplements terse diary entries.
• The foreword and index improve usability for reference and scholarly citation.

Cons

• Because entries were written under military duties, some notes are cursory and may lack detail readers desire.
• The editorial tone reflects a 1927 publication approach that may feel dated to those expecting modern commentary.

Specifications

Title	The War Diary of the Emperor Frederick III, 1870 - 1871
Author/Editor	A R Allinson
Original publication	1927
Contents	Foreword, Diary entries, Preface, Text, Appendix, Index
Coverage dates	Campaign of 1870 and 1871
Primary material	Diary entries and extracts from correspondence with his wife

Our Verdict

The War Diary of the Emperor Frederick III is a valuable primary document for scholars and dedicated readers of military history who want direct access to an eyewitness voice from the 1870-71 campaign. Its strength lies in unvarnished daily impressions and the supporting letters; readers seeking narrative synthesis or modern analysis should supplement it with recent secondary studies. Overall it is good value as a historical source.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the book include material beyond diary entries?
The edition contains a foreword, preface, appendix, index and extracts of correspondence that supplement the diary.

When were the diary entries written?
The entries document impressions from the campaign of 1870 and 1871 and were later edited for the 1927 publication.

Is this a modern annotated edition?
No, the publication reflects an earlier editorial approach from 1927 and presents the diary and correspondence with period scholarship rather than contemporary annotation.