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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Mrs L A DeS
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 4
Good but need to oil after use
These are sturdy and attractive, but you need to oil these down every now and again as the surface will splinter a little.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2026
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Jen
Natrona Heights, US
★★★★★ 1
Lies
Update! They are cracking and falling apart already with barely being used and careful care. Complete waste of money. Original review: These are horrible, as far as the smell and not being properly sanded. They aren't pre-oiled like they claimed either. Not worth what you pay for them.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2025
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janelle
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 5
Sturdy cutting boards!
These cutting boards work great and are sturdy. They lose color quickly but re oiling them will help that. Good product.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2025
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Geoffrey Snow
Houston, US
★★★★★ 3
Great quality for the Price
Surprisingly decent for the price! The wood is actually pretty and high quality, but the manufacturing isn't great. The set a received is quite rough and my wife continues to think she will get a splinter. They also are oiled but they are quite dry still and also smell heavily of the mineral oil they use.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2025
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Coffee, Carbs, and Clutter
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 2
Beautiful but terrible quality.
While I absolutely loved the idea of cutting boards with a stand, these were not the right choice. The wood is exceptionally soft and after the first use the gouges from my knife were pretty deep. After I washed the cutting board from cutting veggies, it started to splinter. Maybe I just got a defective set but I definitely do not recommend this set. Will be returning and getting a different brand/board.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2025

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