1848 was a turbulent but momentous time in Europe. Within this context, the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein were caught between the rising nationalism and desire for unification of the Prussian/German nation states and the traditional alliances with the Danish Kingdom. The Schleswig Holsteiners decided that allegiance with the German Federation including having their own constitution was the best way forward. They rebelled against the Danish and looked to the Prussians with their greater military prowess for help.

In Denmark, as in other European countries, the cry for a democratic constitution caused social disturbance triggered initially by the February riots in Paris. The Danish monarchy, in crisis, both constitutionally and in terms of monarchical succession continued to lay claim on their southernmost duchies and sent their armed forces to destroy the Schleswig-Holstein insurgents.

Svendsen, in this book, describes the battlefield upon which this crisis is played out: from the geomorphic landscape influencing battlefield strategy down to the description of a farmhouse where Prussian officers jumped out of windows to save themselves from the Danish. He leads us through this war and shows us the changing shapes of the battlefield in this momentous period of European history.