On land, the Thirty Years War was fought primarily in Germany. It was one of the most destructive conflicts Europe has experienced, as great areas were laid waste by warfare and by foraging armies. It was a religious war between Catholics and Protestants, but inevitably the political interests of those embroiled within it played no small part. The French Bourbons, the Hapsburgs and the emergent Swedish empire clashed in a series of bloody conflicts in the heart of the continent which are detailed and analysed within this book. As the century drew to a close a new conflict impacted upon the region. The War of the Spanish Succession drew new protagonists onto the battlefield. Perhaps most notable among them was one of Britain's most famous soldiers-John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough. His campaign and victory at Blenheim-an example of military genius-concludes this fascinating book