Bismarck and the German Empire

Bismarck was many things to many different people. No one embodied might makes right and strategic hostility like Bismarck used to craft Germany under Prussian rule. He also had many of the flaws of a person that was obsessed with power and strategic expansionism. A read worth doing to see some of the similar flaws in our modern era first expressed so openly under the Iron Chancellor.

The font is terrible but you get used to it. The book itself gives an informative view of Bismarck's political career and includes many achievements I never knew about. The author is clearly biased against Bismarck but he sort of acknowledges that and is still able to praise Bismarck's ability despite his bias.The only definite negative about the book is its complete lack of caring about the wars. For example in the Franco-Prussian war it skips from the beginning of the war to the founding of the German Empire in Versailles without discussing the war at all. I understand Bismarck may only be involved in the diplomacy but it should still give at least some account of the German victories if only as background material.Despite this, still a good book on Bismarck and his political methods.

“The name Kulturkampf (cultural struggle) was given to the great campaign which Bismarck and German Liberalism fought against the Roman Catholic Church and the Catholic Party of the Centrum. In Germany this struggle dominated the minds of men for four or five years and was looked on by a great part of Europe as one of the most exciting events of the age. To-day the questions which then excited so much feeling have receded so far into the background that it is most difficult for us to understand the excitement. But there can be no doubt that in those years many of the most enlightened and highly educated men believed that the future of mankind was at stake.’’Well, remember Hitler wrote “Mein Kampf’’. This cultural/ideological fight did not end with Bismarck. Maybe did not recede ‘into the background’. Maybe they were correct.“Greater still was the stir caused when the Vatican Council adopted, in June 1870, the dogma of the infallibility of the Pope. Excitement was particularly strong in Germany—which nation considered itself the birthplace of the Reformation—because the majority of the German bishops had opposed this dogma during the Council, but submitted to it according to the fundamental doctrine of the Catholic Church after it had been accepted by the Council. Only a minority of them refused to subscribe to it, and among these was Dr. Döllinger, a friend of Gladstone and Lord Acton, who was considered the leading light of Catholic theology, and the greatest of German ecclesiastical historians.’’This text provides an example of Eyek’s analysis. Good - as far as it goes. However, most of this work is narration, presenting mountains of detail without as much synthesis as I prefer.Closer to a diary or calendar of events, than an explanation. Maybe I just don’t have serious interest in political history. Eyck focuses on the person and/or circumstances. The ideas, assumptions, of the actors don’t seem to concern him as much as the day-to-day events. Nevertheless, he doesn’t avoid presenting ideas. Highlights the personal in contrast to the intellectual.This could serve as reference for academic research or scholarly background.Not a hard read, but tedious and pedantic.Table of contents is detailed and linked in my kindle edition. Works great!No index. No bibliography.(Contrast - “The German Question” by Röpke. Covers extended centuries. Erudite, insightful and clear.)

If you like Prussian history and want to find out about Bismarck, this is the book for you. I also give insight into the underlying causes of the world wars.

I learned a lot about Bismarck and that era of German history. The author balanced the positive and negative aspects of Bismarck's personality and decisions. It is not a new book, but didn't need to be given the subject.

I am working on a fictional novel in which Bismarck plays an important roll and this book has given me ideas that will greatly enrich my story. The man was a master politician with a very interesting career.An excellent book for anyone interested in pre-WW1 European politics.

A very interesting work about one of the major people in European history. Detailed, interesting, accurate.However the writing style is pretty laboured and you will find yourself working at reading this, not gliding through it unconsciously. Be prepared for some effort.

If you want to learn about Bismarck and not spend a summer doing it, this is the book. Detailed, easy to read and thoughtful.

Eyck presents an outstanding review of Bismarck`s statesmanship. First he has to rise to power, in a strange political world of German Kings and the German voting population. Bismarck`s goal is to unite the various independent German States, into the German Empire. Bismarck becomes known as the Iron Chancellor. And after reading about all his wheeling and dealing, the reader will realize the moniker was quite accurate. Bismarck becomes the dominating political force of continental Europe. Eyck also points out on several occasions, the various political seeds that led to the outbreak of the Great War in 1914. Bismarck not only united Germany, but also fueled the rise of German militarism and a strong German nationalism. The reason for the low star rating, has to do with Eyck`s focus. Eyck only deals with the political aspects of Bismarck. The section dealing with the war with France, had no details what so ever about the actual war . Sorry, but wars are big events, and I would have liked some details. Eyck sticks to Bismarck`s backroom political dealings, and skips over most other events in Bismarck`s life. I would not call this a book a fun read. However, Bismarck`s political deal-making will give political junkies quite a thrill.

Not that I did expect to read this and find Bismarck cracking jokes or anything but... even the dullest personality can make a fun read. And Bismarck was anything but dull.I particularly appreciated the description of his rise to power, and the detail of the dealings with Parliament, the King and the German society in general. Even better, I found the description of his downfall even more interesting. I learned a lot about Bismarck, so mission accomplished for Herr Eyck.However, it never made me crave for the next page, the next chapter. It didn't trap me as a narrative.

Very comprehensive. Might be tough to follow for an average reader due to complexity of the events described. Nevertheless, still one of the best books about Otto von Bismarck.

got it

Lots of written detail, but lacked a broad sweep, and not a single map.Mr Eych was not content to just report the events but had to regale the reader with his opinions. For example on page 314 he wrote Bismarck was unwilling to prohibit Sunday work in factories "which nobody would nowadays give a second thought." What planet was Mr Eych on?