The German Empire: A Short History (Modern Library Chronicles) [Paperback]

Michael Sturmer (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0812966201 | ISBN-13: 978-0812966206 | Publication Date: August 6, 2002

In a remarkably vibrant narrative, Michael Stürmer blends high politics, social history, portraiture, and an unparalleled command of military and economic developments to tell the story of Germany’s breakneck rise from new nation to Continental superpower. It begins with the German military’s greatest triumph, the Franco-Prussian War, and then tracks the forces of unification, industrialization, colonization, and militarization as they combined to propel Germany to become the force that fatally destabilized Europe’s balance of power. Without The German Empire’s masterly rendering of this story, a full understanding of the roots of World War I and World War II is impossible.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A concise, richly descriptive, and authoritative history.” —The New York Times Book Review

“A brief yet thorough introduction to an episode of German history that has proven pivotal . . . over the past century and a half. . . . Stürmer’s superlative analysis of Bismarck the man, of his motives and actions, is a masterpiece of clarity and brevity.” —Publishers Weekly (starred)

“Clear, concise, and compelling—a welcome corrective to the view that a principle task of historiography is to assign blame.” —Kirkus Reviews

“[A] concise, information-packed history of imperial Germany, from its creation in 1870 to its collapse in the aftermath of World War I, that makes one acutely aware of what-might-have-beens.” —Forbes

From the Inside Flap

In a remarkably vibrant narrative, Michael Stürmer blends high politics, social history, portraiture, and an unparalleled command of military and economic developments to tell the story of Germany?s breakneck rise from new nation to Continental superpower. It begins with the German military?s greatest triumph, the Franco-Prussian War, and then tracks the forces of unification, industrialization, colonization, and militarization as they combined to propel Germany to become the force that fatally destabilized Europe?s balance of power. Without The German Empire?s masterly rendering of this story, a full understanding of the roots of World War I and World War II is impossible.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Modern Library (August 6, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812966201
• ISBN-13: 978-0812966206
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.4 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #271,597 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars concise bridge from feudal states to nation, January 19, 2004

By 

Christopher Satterfield (Orlando, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The German Empire: A Short History (Modern Library Chronicles) (Paperback)

I can't say I'm very interested in the national and indutrial development of germany prior to WWI. That's probably why I liked this book so much. Its short and to the point.

I'm a casual reader of history and have mostly focused thusfar on pre-Napoleonic times. I've wanted to move on to WW1 era history but felt that I didn't really understand how Germany became such an international player in the intervening years. It always play a second fiddle to France and Britain. This book fills in the gaps quickly and concisely. I feel confident now to pick up a nice book on WW1 without complete ignorance of Germany's status and motivations prior to the war. I almost feel that this is the niche that the author intended to fill as there is a tragic sense of foreshadowing throughout the text.

There are probably more complete (and much longer) books available on this part of German history, but this one suited my needs perfectly. A good answer to that age-old question - whatever happened to Prussia?

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great introduction of the German empire, August 31, 2011

By 

Erez Davidi (Tel Aviv, Israel) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The German Empire: A Short History (Modern Library Chronicles) (Paperback)

This is the clearest and most concise introduction of the German Empire prior to WWI that I have read. Despite the short length of the book, Sturmer was able to provide a rather comprehensive overview of the German empire. I was impressed by the fact that the author was able to cover so many aspects (the German economy, military and politics) with so little words. As other reviewers have pointed out, this book is highly recommended for people who are interested in having a better knowledge of Germany prior to the Great War.

1 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars book review, March 18, 2010

By 

David M. Hagler (Salinas CA USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The German Empire: A Short History (Modern Library Chronicles) (Paperback)

book arrived promptly as promised and was well packaged. excellent condition! a thoroughly satisfactory transaction. my thanks to the vendor and five stars!!!