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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Elva
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 5
Comfortable Ergonomic Chair for Long Workdays
Color: Black, Color: Black
I’ve been using this chair for my home office, and it’s been a great addition to my workspace. The seat cushion is thick and comfortable, even after several hours of sitting, and the mesh back keeps good airflow throughout the day. I especially like the adjustable headrest, which provides extra neck support when leaning back during breaks. Assembly was straightforward, the chair feels sturdy, and the wheels roll smoothly on my floor. The all-black design also gives it a professional look that fits well in any office setup. Overall, it’s a comfortable and affordable ergonomic chair that offers excellent value for the price.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2026
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Emily Hopman
Boise, US
★★★★★ 3
Sturdy but uncomfortable
Color: Black
The seat itself is sturdy and easy to put together, I’ve now had the product for 8 months and had no issues wear/tear despite nearly daily use, but… it’s not comfy, at all. The seat cushion has a texture to it that scrapes at my legs if I don’t have an extra pillow on it or am wearing shorts. Additionally, the seat pillow is just kind of hard. It doesn’t give very much at all, so if I sit on it for more than an hour or two at a time my butt starts to get really sore. It works as a budget option, but invest in a good seat pillow if you plan to sit in it for any length of time.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2026
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Jade20
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
A chair that does the job
Color: Black, Color: Black
I’m really happy with this chair overall. I wanted something comfortable, sturdy, breathable, and spacious enough for long hours at my desk when I work from home, and this chair delivered. I’d easily give this chair five stars because it exceeded my expectations in comfort, quality, and overall value. Comfort and Support The mesh back keeps it cool and comfortable during extended use. One of my favorite features is the adjustable lumbar support. You can manually position it exactly where your lower back needs support, and it fits the curve of my back perfectly. It provides great support without feeling too firm or uncomfortable. Build Quality and Design The chair itself feels solid and well-built. It doesn’t creak or make noise when shifting around, which makes it feel stable and high-quality. The seat is roomy and comfortable, and the overall design looks clean and modern. Easy Assembly It also came with an instruction manual that was extremely simple to follow, and assembly was very easy. I was able to put the chair together by myself in about 20 minutes without any help. Armrest Functionality I also like the armrests. They aren’t adjustable by height, but they do flip all the way up, which is surprisingly convenient. You can easily slide the chair under a desk or use it as an armless chair when needed. Packaging and Presentation Another thing worth mentioning is the packaging. Everything arrived extremely well-packed. Every individual part of the chair was wrapped securely, including bubble wrap protection for the components. The hardware and accessories were neatly organized, and the chair even came with the necessary tools for assembly in case you don’t own a drill or tool set. The presentation and packaging were excellent and showed real attention to detail. Overall Impression Overall, this is a fantastic office chair for the price: comfortable, supportive, sturdy, easy to assemble, and packaged exceptionally well. I’d absolutely recommend it and would confidently give it a five-star rating.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2026
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Melissa Alvarado
Natrona Heights, US
★★★★★ 5
Solid quality and comfortable
Color: Light Grey, Color: Light Grey
Wonderful quality chair, solid and sturdy, it was easy to put together, the directions were very clear and all the pieces fit together perfectly without issue. It is made of breathable material and I love that the arms flip up easily. You can raise it up or down and it has an adjustable headrest. It also has adjustable lumber support. It rolls easily and the color is the only reason I might return, I think I want a different one instead. The chair is comfortable for a petite person but equally comfortable for a tall person. We have both in our family and it is great for both. The armrests are comfortable and there is really nothing negative to say about this chair at all. Considering the quality, it is a great value for the money.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2026
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Anastasiia
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 5
Comfortable and Sturdy Office Chair
Color: Black, Color: Black
I’ve been very happy with this chair so far. The quality feels solid, and the materials look durable. The color matches the listing perfectly and fits nicely with my office setup. It’s very comfortable for long periods of sitting, with good support for my back and shoulders. Assembly was straightforward, and all the parts were included. The chair looks modern and professional, and the overall appearance exceeded my expectations. It feels stable and secure, even when reclining or moving around. The wheels roll smoothly, and the chair is easy to adjust for a comfortable fit. Overall, this is a well-made, comfortable, and attractive office chair that offers great value for the price.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2026

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