This is the first biography on Erich Ludendorff I have read. One other book I read on the German High Command in WWI dealt a great deal (of course) with Ludendorff. Tormented Warrior as a biography covered his entire life as an overview; not much depth. The most interesting part for me was his post WWI activities. His involvement with Hitler and the Nazis, as well as his other political activites. Ludendorff's relationships with his two wives was also covered through the book. This aspect of his life surprised me a bit. It seems he was a family man to some extent. He apparently cared deeply for his step-familly from his first wife. Also, with his first wife, he was affectionate and caring in person and in his letters to her during the war. The second wife was a radical. Between the two of them they published some extremist pamphlets (i.e. anti-Semetic, anti-Catholic and so on). However, Ludendorff did write two additonal books while with her. The author of the Tormented Warrior describes these books as logical, rational and well thought out. Parkinson states this indicates that Ludendorff did not become unbalanced toward the end of his life. Who knows?

Anyway, I believe this book is worth a read. Contains interesting material. ( )