Wilhelm II : the Kaiser's personal monarchy, 1888-1900 / John C.G. Röhl ; translated by Sheila de Bellaigue

New York : Cambridge University Press, 2004. Translated Edition. Hardcover. Near fine cloth copy in a near-fine, very slightly edge-nicked and dust-dulled dust wrapper, now mylar-sleeved. Remains particularly well-preserved overall; tight, bright, clean and strong. Physical description: xxi, 1287 pages: illustrations; 26 cm. Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 1237-1255) and index. Translated from the German. Contents: The accession -- The first state visits -- The Kaiser and his mother -- An ominous family quarrel -- The young Kaiser: a sketch drawn from life -- First steps in foreign affairs -- The pillars of imperial power -- The domination of the Bismarcks -- The Bismarck crisis begins -- The Kaiser, the Chancellor and the Kartell -- Constitutional conflicts -- Bismarck's fall from power -- The haphazard transition: from the Bismarcks to the new course -- In Bismarck's footsteps: the conduct of foreign policy under the new course -- The dualism of power -- The fall of the court generals -- The school bill crisis and the fragmentation of power -- Dynastic diplomacy -- The rude awakening -- The predictable disaster: Wilhelm II and the 'public soul' of Germany -- Caprivi's dismissal -- Head of the family -- The Kaiser and the 'newest course' -- An enemy of the people -- Wilhelm and world politics -- Great Britain and the spectre of encirclement -- Endgame: the breakthrough to decisive personal power -- The Kaiser, art and architecture -- The challenge: from continental policy to Weltpolitik -- The Kaiser and England -- Wilhelm and the birth of the German battlefleet -- 'Young Germany, your Kaiser!', or what was wrong with Wilhelm II?. Subjects: William II, German Emperor 1859-1941. Kings and rulers. Germany Kings and rulers; Biography. Germany. Germany History William II, 1888-1918. Germany Kings and rulers. Germany History Nineteenth century.