Bismarck: The Story of a Fighter

by Emil Ludwig, M. Eden Paul (Translator), Cedar Paul (Translator)

Otto von Bismarck was more than a politician and a he was the single driving force that turned the disparate states of Germany into one cohesive empire. He then went on to lead Germany and the rest of Europe into an age of political peace that lasted from 1871 until the outbreak of World War I. Under his influence, Germany thrived. Bismarck’s use of statesmanship to fight for the interests of his country was legendary. As one of the most influential and powerful individuals in his country’s history, Bismarck became a symbol of leadership and pride for German nationalists. The historical conception of him was as the “Iron Chancellor,” an unbending and untouchable figure.  

In his landmark biography of the man of “blood and iron,” Emil Ludwig rejects the pedestal that history has placed Bismarck upon, and instead seeks a historical and psychological understanding of the chancellor “as he really was, and not as distorted by worship.” Bismarck was not merely a hard and calculating statesman, but a man ruled by pride, courage, and hatred. To fully comprehend the actions this enigmatic and important character, we must first understand his feelings, his motivations, and his private life.  

Beginning with Bismarck’s childhood and delving more fully into his early life than any other work, Ludwig’s landmark volume is invaluable in understanding the forces behind one of the most influential men in modern history.

Genres: Biography, History, German Literature, European History, Politics, Nonfiction

704 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1926

About the author

Emil Ludwig (originally named Emil Cohn) was born in Breslau, now part of Poland. Ludwig studied law but chose writing as a career. At first he wrote plays and novella, but also worked as a journalist. In 1906, he moved to Switzerland, but, during World War I, he worked as a foreign correspondent for the Berliner Tageblatt in Vienna and Istanbul. He became a Swiss citizen in 1932, later emigrating to the United States in 1940.

At the end of the Second World War, he went to Germany as a journalist, and it is to him that we owe the retrieving of Goethe's and Schiller's coffins, which had disappeared from Weimar in 1943/44. He returned to Switzerland after the war and died in 1948, in Moscia, near Ascona.

During the 1920s, he achieved international fame for his popular biographies which combined historical fact and fiction with psychological analysis. After his biography of Goethe was published in 1920, he wrote several similar biographies, including one about Bismarck (1922–24) and another about Jesus (1928). As Ludwig's biographies were popular outside of Germany and were widely translated, he was one of the fortunate émigrés who had an income while living in the United States. His writings were considered particularly dangerous by Goebbels, who mentioned him in his journal.

Ludwig interviewed Benito Mussolini and on December 1, 1929 Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. His interview with the founder of the Republic of Turkey appeared in Wiener Freie Presse in March 1930, addressing issues of religion and music. He also interviewed Joseph Stalin in Moscow on December 13, 1931. An excerpt from this interview is included in Stalin's book on Lenin. Ludwig describes this interview in his biography of Stalin. What was originally an omitted section of the interview by Joseph Stalin himself, Professor of Montclair State University Grover Furr had finally published an English version of it.

Ludwig's extended interviews with T.G. Masaryk, founder and longtime president of Czechoslovakia, appeared as Defender of Democracy in 1936.

Reviews

[BAM doesn’t answer to her real name · Rating 2 out of 5]

So this was written in the ‘30s…I wonder how unbiased it is

So this was not for me. Nothing really wrong with it. I think it’s just dated? Perhaps ? The few bios I’ve read that are aged seem more basic than what I’m used to. Like the author is afraid to air the dirty laundry. So it’s not biased, it’s just bland.

[Tariq Mahmood · Rating 2 out of 5]

This particular biography is not easy to engage. The style is rather historical and factual making the reading pretty difficult to follow. Bismarck comes across as a diplomat, aware of his noble lineage and careful in making decisions. At a very early age he becomes very individualistic challenging both religion and liberalism. So when he started his career as a diplomat, he followed a realist strategy, instead of an ideologist path.

Bismarck throughout his life seems to impose his own ideas and his own principles, whether in opposition or when in power. His tactics is simple, he calculates and waits for the right opportunity to strike instead of impatiently forcing his decisions through, which is the mark of a true diplomat.

Trouble with reading political stories is that they have to be relatively current, if like this particular biography, they are old than I find impossible to follow with much interest.

[Peter Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a thorough and rich biography of Otto Von Bismark. I think some background in 19th Century Central European politics may be helpful for some readers. The book requires some understanding of German cultural practices and social structure prior to the Industrial Revolution. It's tough to recommend.

[Cole Brumwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bismarck: The Story of a Fighter by Emil Ludwig was an enjoyable history of the formation of Germany and Otto Von Bismarck's climb to power. My lack of knowledge in early Prussian/German political and social systems led to some confusing parts during the book however it did not effect the read and it was very enjoyable none the less. The story starts with Bismarck in his childhood where he develops his sense of pride for from his lineage, and also develops a sense of pride and nationhood for Prussia. This time in his life was, Ludwig claims, was one of the most influential times of his life and was very important for his future life and career. It continues on to his student life where he meets one of his life long friends. During his time as a student he develops his drive and fighting mentality, these years turn him into the great statesman he became. This book is filled with vivid imagery of Bismarck's life, this is done by using Bismarck's letters and the letters of colleagues throughout his career. Bismarck successfully balanced the Prussian monarchies interests, his own interests, and the interests of his fellow statesman allowed him to successfully create a greater Germany, led by Prussia, as he had always dreamed. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in politics and foreign policy. While it would be recommended to have a basic knowledge of Prussian history there I would not call it a prerequisite for this book. Emil Ludwig gives a great description of Bismarck, shows that he is a great Poet, well read, a fighter and above all else a statesman for his country. How deep Ludwig delves into Bismarck's character makes this book worth the read in itself. For further reading into this subject I would need to read some literature on Austria, Russia and France during their time and dealings with Bismarck's Prussia.

[Lorenz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to read and antiquated, but better than Bismarck: A Life by Jonathan Steinberg.

[Sir Badgerly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had such an obvious bias against the man.

[Dr.Chinmay Kulkarni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very less is known about this great statesman of 19th century Europe. How a diplomatic ruler creates an empire is a fascinating history to know. However, a tough leader in foreign affairs uses same tough strategy in internal affairs which leads to him becoming a tyrant. His showdown by Kaiser Wilhelm 2 is a sad part to know. Bismarck created the German Empire which went through degradation under Wilhelm 2. So really interesting to know rise and fall of an Empire in such a short span of time.

[AttackGirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Compressive personality critique

[John · Rating 1 out of 5]

I rated this book on how I felt about it, If your are s student of German history theN you might think it a 5 star work. I am sorry I ever started it, a very slow difficult read for me. I felt like I was reading a high school history book. Lots of facts. I had read Ludwig's NAPOLEON which I liked very much giving it 5 stars. disappointed.