The three-volume "Basic Course" combines scientific precision at the cutting edge of research with clear language and a wealth of contemporary illustrations, creating a unique companion through nearly a thousand years of German military history. Overviews, contexts, structures, and conflicts form the foundation for four different approaches to each of the twelve historical periods. Renowned scholars trace the fundamental lines of development from the Middle Ages to the present and describe the sometimes tense relationship between the military, politics, the state, and society. A variety of source texts, maps, graphics, tables, biographies, and factual texts enliven the historical periods while also serving as a military history reference work. The Basic Course provides comprehensive orientation and invites readers to explore.