In the shadows of history, obscured by the towering specters of world wars, lies the tale of a conflict that reshaped the continent of Europe: the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71. Tobias Arand's magnum opus, "1870/71," delves into this pivotal moment with a keen eye, tracing the lines of battle that redrew national boundaries and the personal sagas that intertwined with the march of armies. Through meticulous research and compelling narrative, Arand resurrects the voices of those who lived through the tumult—ranging from kings to common soldiers, from nurses on the front lines to the intellectuals and diplomats who watched as the world around them changed irreversibly. This is not just a story of military might and political manoeuvre, but a human story of duty, fear, and the pursuit of glory in a world on the brink of modern warfare. Arand's narrative masterfully captures the brutal reality of a war that, though often overshadowed by subsequent conflicts, laid the groundwork for the modern European state and the horrors of mechanized combat that would define the 20th century. With a deft hand, he draws the reader into the era's geopolitical intricacies, making clear the war's significance in the formation of the German nation-state, all while ensuring the human element remains at the forefront of the tale. "1870/71" is a poignant reminder of the cost of nation-building and the enduring marks left on both the landscape and the collective memory of a people. In telling this forgotten chapter of history, Arand offers a narrative that is both a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit and a solemn reflection on the price of progress.