Metternich: The First European

by Desmond Seward

While the European Union is a relatively new phenomenon, it is not a new idea. Klemens von Metternich - the statesman who destroyed Napoleon and directed Habsburg Austria’s policy for nearly forty years - tried, in the nineteenth century, to build his own form of European unity in order to create lasting peace. From 1815 until 1848, the Austrian Empire was the strongest power in Europe; not only the Habsburg domains, but Germany and Italy were also ruled from Vienna. And Metternich, through the sheer brilliance of his diplomacy and unswerving concentration on preserving the balance of power, was instrumental in maintaining Austria’s dominance. He brought the Austrian Empire safely through the Napoleonic maelstrom and his diplomatic brinksmanship at the Congress of Vienna, which saved Europe from another continental war for a hundred years, was legendary. As was his role in creating the European Alliance, which prefigured the League of Nations and NATO. Desmond Seward’s biography, which is based firmly on scholarship and includes previously unpublished material, tells the story of a very great statesman. Metternich’s hatred of war and chauvinism, faith in the old Christian Europe and diplomatic genius are worth remembering at a time when Europe is striving for unity once again. Praise for An excellent biography that is openly sympathetic, but at the same time comprehensive enough to be convincing. Seward's prose is lovely, and this book is simply a joy to read’ - Goodreads review 'Few characterisations are as refreshing and positive as Seward's ... The book relies heavily on Metternich's personal and state papers and contains superb sections on his rather tragic daily life' - Library Journal Desmond Seward was born in Paris and educated at Ampleforth and at St. Catharine’s College, Cambridge. He is the author of numerous historical studies and biographies, on subjects that include the Hundred Years War, Henry V, Napoleon and Hitler.

Genres: Biography, History, European History

334 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 1991

About the author

Desmond Seward was an Anglo-Irish popular historian and the author of over two dozen books. He was educated at Ampleforth and St, Catherine's College, Cambridge. He was a specialist in England and France in the Middle Ages and the author of some thirty books, including biographies of Eleanor of Aquitane, Henry V, Richard III, Marie Antoinette and Metternich.

Reviews

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Conservative Champion

Prince Klemens von Metternich, his politics and diplomacy have be studied by scholars and politicians alike for the 200 years and it is easy to why. He was the master of European politics and intrigue, and was at the centre of one of its most powerful states, Austria for nearly 50 years. Above all he is know for his diplomacy and tenacity which helped form alliances which finally defeated Napoleon and then buried him to history, at the Congress of Vienna. But he was also a huge womaniser and an architect of the ‘Phantom Terror’ the paranoid post Napoleonic censorship which pushed political freedom and thought back to the eighteenth century. Metternich is as complex as he he interesting. This is a true titan of history.

Metternich was born into the Rhenish aristocracy, his father Count Georg-Karl von Metternich was an Austrian envoy in the old Holy Roman Empire, travelling with him had a huge influence on the future statesman. He studied diplomacy at the University of Strasbourg, but the French Revolution forced him to leave. In 1794 he went to England where he wrote a famous pamphlet, a precursor to German Nationalism, urging Germans to unite and arm against French aggression. He later returned to Vienna to work with his father and it was here he elevated himself to the centre of Austrian politics through his marriage to Eleonore, Countess von Kaunitz, a member of the high nobility. He gained high officer arranging compensation for German princes who lost land to the French and then in 1801 became Austrian minister to the Saxon court in Dresden. Here he leaned much about German politics and it’s fragile and fractured nature. In 1806 after becoming Austrian ambassador to France he met other great figures of the age, including Napoleon himself and Talleyrand. Both with huge tastes for mistresses, Metternich joined this table. He gained great incite into the emperor’s character which would help him lead Europe to his defeat.

Alas this would not come yet, overestimating the Spanish uprising in 1808, he led Austria into another disastrous war with France, after the Battle of Wagram saw Austria weakened. But through clever planning, he managed to orchestrate the marriage of Emperor Francis I’d daughter Marie-Louise to Napoleon. This saved Austria. It didn’t have to join the Confederation of the Rhine or become a client state of France. But Austria was wrecked all the same, 10 years of on-off war had bankrupted the country, it couldn’t resist other demands of Napoleon even if the Corsican’s attentions were now elsewhere. He began to centralise the state and but any calls for German unity were forgotten as he feared popular uprisings more and more. The horrors of the French Revolution were too much. With this he began the most ardent advocate of the balance of power and maintaining the status quo of old Europe. When 1812 came, Austria managed to mostly swerve this disaster thanks to Metternich and in 1813 he concluded an early peace with Russia. But war against Napoleon was still a tough choice. He was still very strong and Austria’s military rebuild was slow. Austria remained neutral and secretly rearmed.

Through pressure from his emperor, he didn’t want to destroy France completely as this was Marie-Louise’s inheritance. He also didn’t fully trust Alexander I of Russia as the Tsar was becoming too power. Europe after Napoleon might be dominated by Russia. Napoleon stalled about meeting Metternich half way, at this point he still could have saved himself. As a result of this Austria declared war on France. There would be no opportunity for Napoleon to negotiate from an equal position again. Metternich through political brilliance has secured an Austrian dominated coalition. Metternich’s epoch really began after the Battle of Waterloo as Europe was being redrawn. Working with Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh he ensured France was not destroyed, as it was needed as a counterweight to Russia and Prussia. His German imperial project however came to nothing. But Russia was held in check by his work. Ultimately Metternich’s system declined as the powers naturally had different aims and aspersions. Not everyone wanted peace or to work together to maintain the concert. He eventually became the hated symbol of repression as he desperately tried to uncover fake revolutionary plots and attacks on the peace. As a result he was ousted in the revolutions of 1848 and retired to England, he returned to Vienna where he died in 1859.

Desmond Seward’s book is a decent, but surface deep, fast paced biography of Metternich. Although it skips over his early years and mentions only in passing his personal life, the book gave me a real sense of the man, what he thought and his objectives. When reading a biography I really want to get to the bare bones of what that person was like and how they behaved. For me Seward achieved this to some extent, which is a positive as the book is relatively short. There are other more substantive books on Metternich out there (for example Wolfram Siemann's) but this gives a great overview and great as an introductory assessment of the famous statesman. Seward is fair and balanced in his assessment and provides a good conclusion which sums up Metternich’s career and overall thoughts and objectives whilst also unpicking some myths. I've always liked Metternich so thoroughly enjoyed this which only took me a couple of days to read, which is great for breaking up larger books. I recommend this book and will read Seward again.

[Neill Goltz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely helpful.

A highly relevant book to understanding the world’s current problems in Ukraine and the Middle East, from the perspective of 19th century diplomacy, during which both of those areas of the world presented much the same problems to attainment of peace as they still do today.

I must confess that this is really the first time that I have fully enjoyed and evaluated a book using the Kindle access, which allows for simultaneous look up via Wikipedia and translations of foreign languages simultaneously without putting the book down!

A tremendous (for me) new reading resource.

So easy also to mark passages that one might want to return to quote in a review.

Thusly:

The only cause for concern was the new King of Prussia. The chancellor’s old friend Frederick William III, who during the latter part of his reign took Vienna’s advice on liberalism almost reverently, had died in 1840. If charming and kindly, Frederick William IV was also vain and unstable, a fervent romantic whose fantasies would ultimately drive him insane. Inspired by his vision of medieval Germany, he had a sneaking sympathy for nationalists; Arndt had been allowed to resume his lectures at Bonn while, more ominous, Jahn had been released from police surveillance. For the moment, despite the anti-French outburst which had convulsed Germany in 1841, the mischief went no further. Even so, it grew increasingly clear that the King was turning his back on conservative advisers and was toying with the idea of a constitution.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clemens von Metternich was one of the foremost statesman form the Napoleonic years through the rise of Germany. He was a conservative who feared revolutions and Napoleon’s that could arise out of them. His Concert of Europe would user in no major war from the time of Napoleon’s fall until his death and some would argue until World War 1. He was ahead of his time in laying the foundations of what would eventually become the European Union and NATO. He would keep the Austrian Empire in a position of power long after it should have fallen to larger powers around it. His advice was sought after by the Kings of Europe. This book is well written, succinct and focuses on the achievements of his life. It does a nice job of covering the associated historiography regarding his reputation and place in history. A good read if you have an interest in the subject.

[Steven Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clemens von Metternich was a major architect of foreign affairs for the Austrian Empire. He was also a major figure in European diplomacy overall. He had a vision for Austria and for Europe (as a means of protecting Austrian interests). From the time of Napoleon to the late 1840s, he was a force to be reckoned with.

This book does a wonderful job of describing his work--and his personal life and how the two fit. It is welcome to have the author refer to Henry Kissinger's work on Metternich and get Desmond Seward's take on that work. Many have forgotten that before he was a statesman, Kissinger was a well reputed academic. Seward's work reminds us of Kissinger's intellectual contributions.

Metternich's foreign policy was, essentially, a defense of the status quo in Europe, deigned to quell liberal/revolutionary change. He worked with other leaders in Europe--especially Russia, Prussia, England, France (after Napoleon's fall), and others as needed--to try to enforce order.

The book also describes the difficult Austrian context within which Metternich had to work. The Austrian Empire was unwieldy, with many languages and cultures and religions under one big tent. There were always internal tensions. While Metternich had ideas as to how to address these, he was not given much domestic responsibility by the monarch for whom he worked.

The book does a nice job of describing his career setbacks and triumphs and his complicated personal life.

Want to learn something about Metternich? This is a good place to start.

[Miles Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent biography that is openly sympathetic, but at the same time comprehensive enough to be convincing. Seward's prose is lovely, and this book is simply a joy to read. The author avoids anachronism while at the same time explaining the usefulness of Metternich's conservative thought.

[Jose Gomez-Rivera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Metternich- a tonic for Nationalism

Desmond Seward provides a balanced portrayal of the arch-conservative statesman Klemens Von Metternich. He analyses Metternich ‘s policies from formulating the anti-Napoleón alliance and restoration Congress Europe. Seward is closer to Kissinger’s views on Metternich; praising him for establish a diplomatic balance of power and providing an alternative to antithetical and often exclusive nationalisms. I was indeed struck with how Metternich’s views are paradoxically very current given the Russian-Ukrainian War- perhaps his views do indeed have current currency in today’s world.

[J. David Knecht · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detailed biography of one of the most important diplomats in European history. He set up the continental system that governed Europe until the rise of Prussia. I did feel that I did not really get to know the man through the narrative. However, there is lots of rich material to be mined in this book. The most important part Metternich’s legacy was the balancing of national identities while working for a common Christian Europe. He did not always succeed. He had some roadblocks because of the conservatism of the Austrian court and the British policy to always try to divide the continent. Nevertheless, he was a great statesman the likes of we have not seen very often.

[Adam Michael · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly written and unfocused. Far too much of an apologist text, it’s fine to celebrate a complicated historixal figure, but the author tries to imply that Metternich basically tried to find a United States of Central Europe that would have been democratic. Also that he basically did not wrong ever. What’s worse, the writing under explains the geopolitics of his life while delving deep into his romantic affairs.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid biography of the man who tried to build a stable balance of power in Europe between 1815 and 1848. The argument that he was a early (sort of a proto) pan-European seems a little bit of a stretch, though the view that he felt that way about the component parts of the Austro-Hungarian Empire seem better supported.

[Yeongbae K · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read over all. I have a better understanding of the subject as a result.

In the edition that I bought, there were no chapter headings which made knowing which chapter I was in a bit difficult. Another pet peeve was that direct quotes did not use a different style or font.

[Michael Lewyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What was most interesting about this book is that in addition to describing Metternich's personality and politics, it explains what made him tick. During his early adult years, Austria was ravaged by wars arising from the French Revolution. So Metternich focused on preserving the Austrian status quo to prevent a similar Revolution, but also on preserving the balance of power to protect Austria from being ravaged by France to its west and Russia to its east. He saw that then, as now, Central Europe was a prey animal.

I also learned a bit about Metternich the man: he seems to have been a master of human relationships, working well with his king and with his subordinates. He had three wives, all of whom he seems to have loved (or at least liked) as well as numerous mistresses.

[Chip Swett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating and quite readable.

[beatriz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great leader

Metternich appears so modern and relevant. A great and honest politician. Great book very entertaining, A must read in thai troubled times.

[Koit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Metternich is a name that strikes horror and fear into the hearts of many. Yet, beyond the classic “Metternich — Mitternacht” and other similar horror stories lies a man who was successful because of hard work and clear perception. I was very keen to read more about this person because of these attributes. In the end, though I learned much, the book didn’t live up to my expectations of a biography.

I learned plenty from this book — but my general hope for a biography is to learn nearly all there is or at least to see the potential for doing so in that book. This is not the case here.

The full review was originally posted on my blog (post linked). An excerpt with the introduction and conclusion has been copied to Goodreads.

[Christopher Fox · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book because Metternich is such an interesting and pivotal character but while Seward's research and scholarship is without question his writing style is totally off-putting. He seems addicted to simple sentences (subject, verb, object with descriptors) so that a series of these (and that occurs every few paragraphs) reads more like a list of events rather than a connected, dynamic narrative. Historical figures come and go with little or no explanation of who they are and while there is a lot of data here, I never got a picture of Metternich the man and what drove him to do the things he did. Dry as dust. Needs a writer/story teller not just a historian to do this towering figure justice.

[Doria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice, relatively succinct biography of a long-lived man who knew just about everybody significant during the many eras through which he lived - from Beethoven to Bismarck. A well-paced read, not exhaustively detailed, but it still manages to cover most of the many fascinating and chaotic episodes in the life of Prince Metternich. No mean feat!

[Peter Doddema · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful overview

A good overview of the man & his work. Gives a lot of great information w/o becoming overburdened with details. Helpful for someone with a casual interest.

[Tomer W · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of the book is exciting and interesting. Then it becomes a bit boring.

[Sharon Campbell]

Interesting book about the consummate 18th century European statesman. Had a profound influence on the course of Europe, preserving borders, and countering Napoleon.

[George M.]

unreadable