Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: Bismarck and the German Empire by Erich Eyck ISBN: 0-393-00235-7 Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company Pub. Date: 01 January, 1964 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.4 (5 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: A perceptive view of a formidable man
Comment: Erich Eyck has written a history of the political career of Otto von Bismarck , explaining how Bismarck united the loose collection of weak German states during the mid 1800s by skillfully manipulating international relations and domestic politics. We see how Bismarck recklessly used his understanding of the desires and weaknesses of those around him. This perceptive understanding rarely failed Bismarck.
Erich Eyck tells only enough of Bismarck's early life to display his self confidence. Eyck tells how in his early life Bismarck declined to work in the Prussian government, because, as Bismarck explains, "The Prussian official is like a member in an orchestra, but I want play only the music which I myself like, or no music at all." Eventually Bismarck got the chance to play the music he wanted to play, even if no one else but the king wanted to hear it.
Bismarck became the preeminent individual in international politics. Bismarck was also the master of German domestic politics, manipulating the various parties for his own ends. Eventually no one in Europe would dare leave Bismarck out of their calculations. But Bismarck finally wore out his welcome when the times he had created changed and he did not change with them.
Bismarck had gaps in his understanding. Bismarck could not understand anything he could not control or manipulate. He could not understand economics. He could not understand that someone could act from purely altruistic reasons, what he called humanitarian rubbish.
Erich Eyck writing contains much shrewd analysis, although this makes his writing as labyrinthine as Bismarck's tactics.
Rating: 4
Summary: Bismarck and the German Empire
Comment: Erich Eyck's Bismarck and the German Empire is a thorough analysis of German history that demonstrates how Bismarck emerged as the premier European statesman of his day and what that meant to German development. Eyck's book is not biographical, but rather shows how Bismarck permeated every aspect of German politics.. At times Eyck's writing is as complex as Bismarckian diplomacy, but the reader will find this an indispensable addition to understanding German history.
Eyck illustrates Bismarck's genius in working to unify Germany under Prussian leadership, but is not afraid to criticize Bismarck when warranted (he even uses a using biblical reference to chastise Bismarck at one point). Bismarck used alliances with Austria, France, Italy, and Russia at various times to further Prussian or German objectives, then subsequently dissolved many such alliances as Bismarck's ambitions changed. Eyck suggests that European history would have been vastly different had Bismarck pursued a similar alliance with Britain. But because Bismarck could never dominate British diplomats like he did those from the continent, such an alliance proved impossible. However, part of Bismarck's genius was knowing when to stop wars of aggression (Bismarck did not fight a war after he defeated France in 1871) and opt instead to pursue diplomatic channels.
Eyck works Bismarck's career to its natural conclusion when he came into conflict with the new emperor, Wilhelm II. The old chancellor is portrayed as having outlived his effectiveness and alienated most Germans in his attempts to retain power.
Eyck's writing style is at times cumbersome, but more importantly is the confusing editing. Many times foreign phrases are not translated, particularly lengthy sentences that are part of some important point. However, several short phrases are translated, even those that are quite self-explanatory. But Eyck remains a credible scholar proven by the fact that this volume is still in print in spite of the fact that it is nearly forty years old.
Rating: 4
Summary: Excellent
Comment: I also endorse this book for those wanting to know more about Bismarck and the diplomacy of Germany in the 19th century.
 |
Title: Bismarck and Germany 1862-1890 by D. G. Williamson ISBN: 0582293219 Publisher: Longman Publishing Group Pub. Date: 01 January, 1998 List Price(USD): $16.00 |
 |
Title: The Anatomy of Revolution by Clarence Crane Brinton ISBN: 0394700449 Publisher: Vintage Books USA Pub. Date: 01 March, 1966 List Price(USD): $10.00 |
 |
Title: Bismarck, the Man and the Statesman by Alan John Percivale Taylor ISBN: 0394703871 Publisher: Vintage Books USA Pub. Date: 01 October, 1975 List Price(USD): $12.00 |
 |
Title: Reflections on the Revolution in France (Oxford World's Classics (Paperback)) by Edmund Burke, L. G. Mitchell ISBN: 0192839780 Publisher: Oxford University Press Pub. Date: 01 November, 1999 List Price(USD): $9.95 |
 |
Title: Bismarck and the Development of Germany by Otto Pflanze ISBN: 0691007659 Publisher: Princeton University Press Pub. Date: 01 November, 1971 List Price(USD): $40.00 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
