Hi everyone, I've recently read the Wedgwood book and it was really good. I then saw the book by Peter Wilson recommended on several sites online, but after giving it a shot, I realized that it's too long and way beyond the scope of what I'm looking for. So are there any good texts that summarize the conflict and are accessible for the general reader? I'm well aware that the HRE and this war in particular are extremely complex subject, but there must be something more beginner-friendly. And if such books are not available, are there any YouTube series or podcasts that go over the conflict? Thank you very much.
The problem with the Thirty Years War's accessibility is evident in its name: It lasted three decades, included dozens of contemporary powers, and is transcribed through at least seven different languages. As such, focusing on a specific period, aspect, state, or figure involved in the War is a good start. The most popular is obviously the Swedish Campaign under Gustavus Adolphus, which is explored in sources such as the Swedish Intelligencer or Volumes IV-VI of the Sveriges Krig. However, my personal favorite is the Hessian Conflict, whose generally-accepted expert is Franz von Geyso. Happy reading!