The second edition of this classic work has been thoroughly revised, synthesizing the major work in the field, in all languages, up to the present day. Covering the horrors of the war, the contorted politics of the period and all the major figures, the new edition includes maps, a six-nation chronology, genealogies and an index which gives the birth-date and other pertinent facts about each person listed.

Geoffrey Parker, Simon Adams, Gerhard Benecke, Richard J. Bonney, John H. Elliot, R.J.W. Evans, Christopher R. Friedrichs ,Bodo Nischan, E. Ladewig Petersen, Michael Roberts

Illustrations, Contributors, Preface, Acknowledgements, Conventions, Chronology, I EUROPE BETWEEN WAR AND PEACE, 1555-1618, II THE INDECISIVE WAR, 1618-1629, III THE HABSBURGS VICTORIOUS, IV TOTAL WAR, V COUNTDOWN TO PEACE, VI THE WAR IN MYTH, LEGEND AND HISTORY, Maps, Abbreviations, Notes, Bibliographical essay (by Geoffrey Parker, incorporating material supplied by the contributors), Index of authors, General index