Bismarck and the Development of Germany

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The three volumes of this monumental work on Bismarck and his times provide a finely honed analysis of a complex figure and a masterful study of nineteenth-century Germany. Otto Pflanze's trilogy synthesizes the German historical experience—economic, social, political, and intellectual—through the lens of Bismarck’s career. It explores the interaction between Bismarck, a man of genius, and the forces that shaped and were reshaped by him, transcending traditional biographical constraints. The author calls for a reassessment of German history in light of the twentieth century's tragedies, offering fresh insights into the internal and international political systems of Bismarck's era. The trilogy vividly portrays Bismarck's narcissistic personality, linking health, neurosis, and political judgment to his strengths and weaknesses, allowing for a comprehensive view of his impact on modern German history. Volume I covers the period of unification (1815-1871), detailing Bismarck's emergence in Prussian foreign service and his role in Germany's unification. Volume II focuses on the years of consolidation (1871-1880), examining Bismarck's dominance in German and European politics and the new Reich's international order. Volume III addresses the period of fortification (1880-1898), detailing Bismarck's response to economic challenges and his conflicts with Wilhelm II, culminating in the enduring Bismarck legend that continues to influe