Bismarck was one of the single most important figures in German history. This new Profile evaluates his political career in the light of most recent considerations of his achievement.
'... both the narrative and the debate are always linked back to the analysis of power. This is an impressive achievement and distinguishes the book from conventional biographical studies of Bismarck.'
John Breuilly, Professor of Modern History, University of Birmingham
'This immediately takes its place as the best short biography of Bismarck in any language. Its command of the material is impressive, and it strikes a sensible balance between the traditional extremes of praising Bismarck as a hero who single-handedly created modern Germany or damning him as a villain who laid the foundations for the later rise of Nazism.'
Richard J. Evans, Professor of Modern History, University of Cambridge
'Dr Lerman's judgement of Bismarck's achievements and his ambiguous legacy is balanced, clear-sighted and sound.
This is a thoroughly recommendable book that will be of great benefit to students of modern Germany and nineteenth-century Europe.'
T.G.Otte, University of East Anglia
Preface1 Personal Power 2 Achieving Power 3 Precarious Power 4 Creative Power 5 Consolidating Power 6 Corrosive Power Conclusion