The history of the German-German general staff is more than just a collection of individual biographies. The analysis of the personnel body of the respective military elite provides insights into the fundamental structures of the German military. This reveals a significant part of military thinking and addresses the question of Americanization, Sovietization, or the modernization of German military traditions.

Thorsten Loch compares the profession, career, and background of generals in East and West Germany. He examines the processes and decisions regarding the appointment of key societal and military positions. The starting point is the consideration of the military as a profession and thus understanding it from the perspective of war. Based on a wide range of sources, a picture of German generals emerges that highlights the fundamental differences in military thinking between East and West and offers surprising insights into the formation of the military elite.