Clark Review Kaiser Wilhelm II Profiles in Power Series
A Reaction Christopher Clarks work, Kaiser Wilhelm II: Profiles in Power Series,deals with one of the key aspects of twentieth-century Europe-the last ofthe imperial rulers of Germany from 1888 to 1918. Clark details the very interesting story of Kaiser Wilhelm II, theKing of Prussia and emperor of Germany. On one hand, it is abiography-placing him as a man of the time leading up to the First WorldWar, and detailing several (interesting) personal details concerning hisrelationships within his family (especially with his father andgrandfather), as well as indications of his personal flaws (especially the The book is also an intended work of history, detailing the eventssurrounding his rein as emperor, especially concerning his role in theoutbreak of WWI (which Clark characterized as relatively minimal, bothbecause of his desire to avoid war (218), as well as due to his steadily
To be sure, for the casual reader, the book does not delve into manyof the possibly interesting tidbits concerning the Kaiser's philosophies,beliefs, or even details of his life aside from his "duties. One of the best things about the book is Clark's bringing to theforefront the existence of unanswered questions concerning the Kaiser. Indeed, his legendary rudeness, lack of self-restraint, and inability to think "outside" of his position caused him togain innumerable enemies. In victory it findsjustification for all actions, even the most brutal and savage. Although it is difficult for manyto reconcile the popular perception of the man with the words written inhis memoir, "War has no heart and no soul. " For thisreason, it is difficult to answer the question that Clark poses as to the"extent" that Wilhelm "can be held responsible for Germany's drift intodeepening isolation" before the war. In short, it is an illuminatingread, in spite of its shortcomings. Although it is refreshing for a historian to take a definite stance onsuch a controversial figure (and conclude that he had less influence onevents as is commonly supposed), his lack of the personal side istroubling-after all, Giles MacDonogh manages to incorporate the veryimportant details of his character as related to his mother's influence, inhis book, The Last Kaiser. However, even though Clark purported to answer them, delving into the"character and extent" of his power, political goals, and levels ofinfluence, his lack of focus on the personal aspects of his philosophicalcharacter (indeed, if they even existed), continue to raise questions aboutWilhelm's real intentions during the time. ) It is interesting that Clark does take thedefinite stance that Wilhelm was not a so called "war monger" at the time. For many the lack of personal detailconcerning his philosophy and thinking makes this question difficult toanswer, in spite of Clark's description of Wilhelm's apathy concerning thepivotal events in 1911. In Clark's defense, he did touch on indicators of Wilhelm's personalcharacter in his assertion that the failure of Wilhelm's stance against waroccurred because, to a great extent, his personal character weaknessesundermined his authority. Further, his public displays, according toClark, served to alienate the "people" as well.
Common topics in this essay:
Kaiser Clark,
WWI Clark,
Kaiser Clark's,
Power Series,
Daily Telegraph,
World War,
Giles MacDonogh,
King Prussia,
Kaiser Wilhelm,
difficult answer,
Wilhelm II,
definite stance,
popular perception,
personal character,
lack personal,
clark's book,
kaiser wilhelm,
wilhelm ii,
role outbreak,
kaiser wilhelm ii,
|
Acceptance Essays
