This book investigates the complex legacy and multifaceted role of the Wehrmacht, Nazi Germany's unified armed forces, from its mobilization in 1935 to its final surrender in 1945. Rolf-Dieter Muller, a noted historian, provides a comprehensive analysis of the organization, examining its leadership, structure, equipment, and training. The work details the experiences of various military personnel, including soldiers, airmen, Waffen SS, and foreign volunteers, while also exploring the impact of state propaganda and terror on the militarized national community under total mobilization. Muller concludes by evaluating the Wehrmacht's conduct of the war, encompassing its initial blitzkrieg successes and its eventual charges of war crimes.

This meticulously researched overview is recognized as a comprehensive analysis of the Wehrmacht, making its role in a complex and horrific era accessible to a wider audience. The work is noted for its detailed examination of military organization, training, and the varied experiences of those who served. It skillfully connects military actions to the broader societal influences of propaganda and terror. The evaluation of the Wehrmacht's wartime conduct and war crimes charges provides a critical perspective on its historical legacy.