Pen and Sword, 2013. — 240 p.
Hermann Göring, Erwin Rommel, Manfred von Richthofen, Paul von Hindenburg, Helmuth von Moltke, Ernst Junger, Max Immelmann – they were among the most famous individuals to be awarded the Kingdom of Prussia’s highest military order, the Pour le Mérite, better known as the ‘Blue Max’. Until the end of the Great War the Blue Max was the most prestigious accolade, a German serviceman could wish for. Yet fictions and myths about the Blue Max have obscured its long and fascinating history. Kevin Brazier, in this comprehensive account of the Pour le Mérite and of the men who received it, aims to set the record straight, and he provides a comprehensive listing of the men who were given this high honor. The bedrock of this book is chronological lists of names. WWI aces are listed with their victory totals followed by a section profiling them and their exploits in good depth. A 16-pages section features black and white photos of Blue Max recipients, This book should appeal to anyone interested in medals, Prussian and German Military history and most of all Great War Aces.