Bismarck and the German Empire [Paperback]

Erich Eyck (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 17, 1964

"Authoritative, illuminating and easy to read. . . . Dr. Eyck, in his excellent book, has exposed the many fallacies of which Bismarck legend is compounded. His analysis is tragic and austere."—The Observer

For most people Bismarck is the man of "blood and iron"; he coined the phrase himself and he lived up to it. But he was much more; he had an itellectual ascendancy over all the politicians of his day, and his superiority was acknowledged not only by his own people, but by all European statesmen.

The unification of Germany, the defeat of Austria, the fall of the Second Empire, the defeat of France, the alliance of the German Empire and the Habsburg Monarchy, the dismemberment of Denmark—these are his most obvious achievements; no less important was the transformation in the national consciousness of the German people, for which Bismarck was also responsible. Dr. Eyck has analyzed not only the personality but also the accomplishments of a statesman whose influence on Europe in the latter half of the nineteenth century was more far-reaching than that of any other man in his time.

This edition contains minor corrections and a new foreword by the author's son Frank Eyck, also a nineteenth-century historian, evaluating some of the important publications in the field since the book appeared and illuminating his father's attitude to Bismarck.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Erick Eyck (1878–1964) was born in Berlin and educated at the Universities of Berlin and Freiburg. He made his career in law, serving in the Court of Appeals, as a legal correspondent, and as a City Councillor in Charlottenberg and Berlin. In 1937 Dr. Eyck emigrated to England, where he lectured at the Universities of London and Oxford and turned to the writing of history. This volume is based on a series of lectures delivered at Oxford and also on Dr. Eyck's monumental three-colume study Bismarck.

Product Details

• Paperback: 328 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; 1st edition (January 17, 1964)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393002357
• ISBN-13: 978-0393002355
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #241,646 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bismarck and the German Empire, July 24, 2001

By 

J. Lindner (Gem Lake, MN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bismarck and the German Empire (Paperback)

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.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A perceptive view of a formidable man, November 6, 2001

By 

"guiscard" (Toms River, NJ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bismarck and the German Empire (Paperback)

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.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Master of Europe, March 5, 2006

By 

F. A Castellon "Prime" (Silver Spring, MD United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bismarck and the German Empire (Paperback)

This book on the great Prussian and later German Chancellor Bismarck by mr. Eyck, written in the 60's still holds the grasp of the imagination and facts to this day. This is important reading leading up to WWI because all the causes of that war can be seen by reading the history of the great Chancellor. Although that is of course touched on much later in the book it is worth noting that this book lays down very clearly that Bismarck valued the stability of Germany with a King over everything and would only wage war if it did not interfere with those facts.

This book starts out with the early life of Bismarck, his failures and later achivements. He credits his mother with his intelligence and his father only for his title as a Junker or Elite in German society. People trying to read European History have to read this book because Prussia WAS involved in everything in Europe after the revolutions of 1848. From becoming a unifided country, to competing for lands in Africa to finally the Kaiser wrestling control from Bismarck. That is how the book ends. But all the causes for the great war can be seen started in the Bismarck time period. The Franco-Prussian war, how it started and the final unification on Germany. The Austro-Prussian war and how it put Austria out of German affairs. Also it is interesting to read to Bismarck Manipualted every one he was in contact with, most easily the Kaiser at the time. Very interesting.

The Great War was inevitable I belive and the causes of it were mostly Economic. As Germany Unified they were threatening Britain as the leader in manufactured goods. They were cutting deeper and deeper into the British control of world trade. The Armamemnt race just was the subject that pushed everything forward. Lest not forget that before the U.S ruled in world dominance it was Britain who led the way for more than 200 years. Germany or the Kaiser's Germany made mistakes as well. Bismarck left a complicated system behind of treaties and alliances. The Kaiser chose to ignore them.

Bismarck was the leader of leaders and an Icon in Prussian and German Diplomacy. The one thing to understand is that one can't live forever and once a man dies most likely his work dies with him.