Wilhelm II (1859-1941), King of Prussia and German Emperor from
1888 to 1918, reigned during a period of unprecedented economic,
cultural, and intellectual achievement in Germany. This volume
completes Lamar Cecil's prize-winning scholarly biography of the
Kaiser, one of modern history's most powerful--and most
misunderstood--rulers.
As Cecil shows, Wilhelm's private life reflects a deeply troubled
and very superficial man. But the book's larger focus is on Wilhelm
as a head of state. Cecil traces the events of the years leading up
to World War I, a period that offers ample evidence of the Kaiser's
inept conduct of foreign affairs, especially relations with
England. Once war broke out, his generals and statesmen kept him on
the sidelines. He was dethroned on November 9, 1918, when a
socialist republic was established in Berlin, and he fled in exile
to Holland, where he resided for the remaining twenty-three years
of his life, working energetically, but to no avail, for his
restoration to the throne.
Originally published in 1996.
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