SKU: 14604395331

The Last Kaiser: The Life of Wilhelm II

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Description

The Last Kaiser: The Life of Wilhelm IIGermany's last kaiser was born in Potsdam on January 27, 1859, the son of Prince Frederick of Prussia and Princess Vicky, Queen Victoria's eldest child. William was born with a withered arm possibly the result of cerebral palsy and many historians have sought in this a clue to his behavior in later life. He was believed mad by some, eccentric by others. Possessed of a ferocious temper, he was prone to reactionary statements, often contradicted by his

Germany's last kaiser was born in Potsdam on January 27, 1859, the son of Prince Frederick of Prussia and Princess Vicky, Queen Victoria's eldest child. William was born with a withered arm---possibly the result of cerebral palsy---and many historians have sought in this a clue to his behavior in later life. He was believed mad by some, eccentric by others. Possessed of a ferocious temper, he was prone to reactionary statements, often contradicted by his next action or utterance. He was rumored to have sired numerous illegitimate children and yet was by all appearances a prig. He was brought up by a severe Calvinist tutor Hinzpeter, but his entourage spoiled him, allowing him to win at games and maneuvers to compensate for his deformities. This gave him a sense of inherent invincibility.

William became kaiser at age twenty-nine. Two years later he drove Bismarck out after he had blocked his liberal social policy. He destabilized the Iron Chancellor's foreign policy by failing to renew the Reinsurance Treaty with Russia, a decision that opened the way for Russia's alliance with France in 1891. William then went on to build a powerful fleet. Though he always denied his target was Britain, there is evidence that German domination of the seas was his real aim---his secretary of state, Tirpitz, was less anxious to please the British than the grandson of Queen Victoria. But William idolized the British Queen. As soon as he heard she was dying he rushed to Osborne House to be at her bedside; his own daughter later said, "The Queen of England died in the arms of the German Kaiser."

William II is widely perceived as a warmonger who seemed to delight in power-grabbing, bloodshed, and the belligerent aims of his staff; and yet the image he carved out for himself and for posterity was that of "Emperor of peace." Historically he has been blamed for World War I, although he made real efforts to prevent it. He has been branded an anti-Semite, but ironically the Nazis wrote him off as a "Jew-lover." In this fascinating, authoritative new life, MacDonogh, widely praised for his biography of Frederick the Great, takes a fresh look at this complex, contradictory statesman and the charges against him to find that many of them can no longer be upheld.



Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: St. Martins Press-3PL
Published: 09/05/2000
ISBN: 9780312305574
Pages: 560
Weight: 1.55lbs
Size: 8.50h x 5.50w x 1.30d
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SKU: 14604395331

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CherylG
Houston, US
★★★★★ 3
Love how it looked
Purchased in 12/2024. Wore it every day without taking it off. Its coating has worn off on most of the bracelet now but I still consider it got my "moneys" worth from it. Took it off 4/25/26
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Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2026
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Scott Wienk
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
She Loves it!
Purchased for Valentines Day and she loves it! Color, weight and size are perfect. Great value for the money. Would purchase again.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2025
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lauramarie
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 3
I wish I could still wear it.
I liked the look and style of this bracelet. I had many compliments when I wore it, but about one month later the base of the clasp started to split open. What a waste, it is a beautiful bracelet.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2025
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Sammy
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 1
Disappointment
States 14kt and it’s not. Doesn’t appear to be what was advertised. Very pretty though.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2024
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Amazon Customer
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 1
Is not 14K
Read description carefully. Is not 14K. Is gold plated.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2025

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