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Iron Kingdom: The Rise and Downfall of Prussia, 1600–1947
PDF Download Iron Kingdom: The Rise and Downfall of Prussia, 1600–1947
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In the aftermath of World War II, Prussia--a centuries-old state pivotal to Europe's development--ceased to exist. In their eagerness to erase all traces of the Third Reich from the earth, the Allies believed that Prussia, the very embodiment of German militarism, had to be abolished.But as Christopher Clark reveals in this pioneering history, Prussia's legacy is far more complex. Though now a fading memory in Europe's heartland, the true story of Prussia offers a remarkable glimpse into the dynamic rise of modern Europe.What we find is a kingdom that existed nearly half a millennium ago as a patchwork of territorial fragments, with neither significant resources nor a coherent culture. With its capital in Berlin, Prussia grew from being a small, poor, disregarded medieval state into one of the most vigorous and powerful nations in Europe. Iron Kingdom traces Prussia's involvement in the continent's foundational religious and political conflagrations: from the devastations of the Thirty Years War through centuries of political machinations to the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire, from the enlightenment of Frederick the Great to the destructive conquests of Napoleon, and from the "iron and blood" policies of Bismarck to the creation of the German Empire in 1871, and all that implied for the tumultuous twentieth century. By 1947, Prussia was deemed an intolerable threat to the safety of Europe; what is often forgotten, Clark argues, is that it had also been an exemplar of the European humanistic tradition, boasting a formidable government administration, an incorruptible civil service, and religious tolerance. Clark demonstrates how a state deemed the bane of twentieth-century Europe has played an incalculable role in Western civilization's fortunes. Iron Kingdom is a definitive, gripping account of Prussia's fascinating, influential, and critical role in modern times.
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Product details
Paperback: 800 pages
Publisher: Belknap Press: An Imprint of Harvard University Press; 1st Published Edition edition (February 28, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0674031962
ISBN-13: 978-0674031968
Product Dimensions:
6.2 x 1.8 x 9.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review:
4.2 out of 5 stars
189 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
#111,309 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
While others complain of too much detail, I found the detail of the book to be exactly what I was looking for. I especially appreciated a new understanding of what was going on in Prussia internally throughout the mid-eighteenth to mid-nineteenth centuries among the various factions and regions. This is helpful to me for the purpose of understanding the motivations my ancestors had to leave their homeland and come to the USA in the early 1860s. Although it does not provide all the answers to that question, it certainly covers a lot more information than I have found elsewhere concerning the transition from feudalism/peasantry in Prussia, which was important background to understand their coming here. I also enjoyed the descriptions of various political and bureaucratic personalities and their motivations.
As a person who neither knew nor had any interest about Middle European history - let alone Prussia; Iron Kingdom was not only exceptionally informative but comes close to the most interesting historical books I have read. The book is not only informative but it is written in a way where you cannot help but be pulled in. The historical characters and political conflicts and the constant change Prussia makes for fun reading.Clark pulls no punches in this book, he goes straight into the history, quick-smart. You are being taught something every page and every paragraph. From the very beginning to the very end the history of Prussia comes to life. It delves into all aspects of society, from: military, politics, religion, diplomacy, religion, domestic law and culture - even the representation and influence of women. The author presents the history and the short biographies of the rulers. It tries to paint an ever changing political atmosphere of Europe; it does so in a way that you think have gathered some rational understanding on how the rulers saw their political landscape, and how the Prussian political environment influenced the way that the ruler and also the future heir formed and practiced their political views and their governance over it. For example, Fredrick the Great Elector was born and raised during the 30 year old. As such, he was moved to ensure his safety. Clarke then forms how he believes that the different environments Fredrick grew up with and discusses why he believes those environments shaped and constructed his ultimate views on how to govern Prussia. Clarke believes that the almost cosmopolitan up-bringing significantly changed Prussia into a greater and a greater structured empire. For example, Fredrick became dedicated in the way soldiers were trained. From the years in the Dutch Republic he - as Clarke writes - he forms an appreciation of the discipline, manoeuvres and top of the art weaponry among the Dutch army. From this, he re-imagined the Prussian soldier. From this, Clarke represents how Prussia cemented itself in history, writing not in the normal predictable deterministic way that some historians write in, but writing in a way to present and convey how a European empire was gradually formed by one boy and the ideas he formed via his environment. The biography may stretch the truth, of course. Yet it turns history in what it is, and that it is: life. Not a historical figure but a real person, with his own independent way of thinking.It also explores the constant changing of cultural and religious values, which were quite enthralling. Clarke writes in length about the how and why the conflict of the Calvinists and the Lutherans, and how this conflict help ignite a new form of religious movement within Prussia. He talks about the conflict both on the political side and the unrest amongst the citizens. Then Clarke discusses how this sparked Pietism as a possible solution to the religious conflict, and he details how this movement conceptualized throughout Prussia; changing not only religious beliefs and practices but also cultural and societal change. For example, the monarchy adopted the Pietist way by opening Pietists military schools throughout Prussia. The Pietist movement placed the individual as scared and gain fulfilment through and within the individual - breaking away from the ecclesiastical establishment. It place pinnacle importance on the self discipline by the individual and for the individual and the importance of the experience of life through the individual; which creates an ideal belief system to nurture the European Enlightenment.Clarke most intriguing chapter - for me, was on the enlightenment and how Prussia due to the monarch and the current views of his people, greatly influenced it. Fredrick the Great was a strong and devoted believer of a progressive, more human empire. For example, he virtually made torture illegal, due to its barbarity, plus he concluded that the practice generated false information. He even allowed for talks and phamlets about questioning the monarch itself. Although he was so loved, even Kant proclaimed one could live under an enlightened monarch. By having a progressive monarch and a movement that placed its value within the individual itself and and the idea one can work upon themselves and archive Christ within himself; is it no wonder how Kant developed his philosophy?There are many, many things I have not discussed. I have written about the things that were most interesting to me.I would recommend this book to layperson that has only a minor interest in European history, or any interest in western political/philosophy thought. The book is fluent and easy to understand. No historical prerequisite of Europe is needed - although there many wars, battles and treaties; yet a quick google will help with the basics. This book has made me aware of the importance of an empire, which seems completely forgotten and unknown within my culture. It has created a thirst for European history, which something I will undertake with vigor. So if a book can create such excitement about something I had absolutely no interest in me, which know creates a very strong interest to not only to Prussia's history but to all European past; it definitely deserves 5 stars!
I was interested in finding a solid review of Prussian society, hoping for as much a sociological as a historical treatment. What I got was much more of the latter and much less of the former. Clearly, this history presents an impressive scholarship and understanding of the Prussian experience, particularly at the upper reaches of the Crown and the state. The shifting vicissitudes of inter-state alliances and conflicts as reflected in the policies of the decision- makers in these centers are documented. The passing parade of rulers, advisers, ministers and generals is faithfully observed, along with informative biographical nuggets on each. Comparable note is made of others, including philosophers, artists, and so on. We see the panoramic unfolding of a the Hohenzollern dynasty over centuries and their associated wars and civil conflicts. The last pages do a nice job contrasting the Twentieth Century mythos of an authoritarian, militarized Prussia with the much more nuanced reality of its history as documented in this book, a reality that offers scant and measured evidence of that mythology.Yet in the final analysis, I was disappointed in this book in two ways. First, I found the historical presentation choppy and at times confusing. Since the Hohenzollern rulers were seemingly all named Frederich or William or both with I, II or III variously attached, following who was in, out or coming along into power was a bit of a challenge. I had to create my own chronological scorecard to keep them straight. At times, important events -- like the death of a ruler -- was simply noted as a parenthetical comment. Second, while there some discussions of Prussian institutions, these tended to be brief in relation to the rest of the book. I was hoping Iron Kingdom might do for Prussian what the book by Cannadine on "The decline and fall of the British aristocracy" did for that comparable phenomenon. I was disappointed.If you want a straight historical accounting of Prussian history, this will be fine. If you're looking for a more in-depth description of Prussian society, I'd suggest looking elsewhere.
Christopher Clark wrote the best single volume explaining the outbreak of World War One, "The Sleepwalkers." So I eagerly began this history of Prussia by Clark. Like "The Sleepwalkers" it is excellent and meticulously fair in its analysis. My only complaint about "Iron Kingdom" is that it could have used a good editor. Clark's research was massive, but this book reads like he was determined to insert every single fact into this book. He literally overwhelms the reader (or listener of the audio version) with an almost endless recitation of facts supporting his points, far beyond the need. I still recommend it, but be prepared for a slog. I also hope that one day Clark will re-issue it with some better editing.
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