BLOCH Jan - Future war in technical, economic and political terms [set of 6 volumes] [published 1899-1900].

Warsaw 1899-1900, published by Gebethner and Wolff. 17x25 cm, pp. XXXIII, 557, XXXVI, 707, XXXIV, 544, XXXVII, 536, XXXIV, 504, 15, XXXI, 365 [6 volumes in 6 volumes - complete], numerous black and white illustrations and photographs and fold-out appendices, two types of cloth green binding. Good condition (stamps and ownership entries, isolated soiling and edgewear).

A set of six volumes of the monumental, visionary work of Jan Bloch (1836-1902), a Polish financier and industrialist, which, translated into many languages, sparked lively discussion throughout Europe.

Contents include: General remarks on shot. Smokeless gunpowder and other explosive matter. Hand-held firearms. Guns and artillery shells. Field defenses and fortifications. Importance and role of cavalry. Artillery tactics and the effects of gun improvements. Infantry in battle. The size of European armies. Preparations for war and declaration of war. Management of armies. Fortress warfare. The condition and spirit of armies. Comparison of fleets participating in past wars, with those of today. Means of defense and attack of modern ships. Corsair and cruiser warfare. Review of economic difficulties in the event of war in European countries. Expenditures for future war and the means of meeting these expenses. The impact of war on the daily needs of the population. Securing Warsaw in case of siege. Historical outline of the development of the idea of amicable settlement of international clashes. Socialism, anarchism and propaganda against militarism. The probability of war from the point of view of politics. The supposed loss of life in a future war. The effect of modern rifles and cannons on the nature of wounds. Rescue of the wounded and sick in past and present war. Evidence that war is inevitable. Rarely included.