'The best biography of the Second Reich in years ... It will undoubtedly become the essential account of this vitally important part of European history' Andrew RobertsBefore 1871, Germany was not a nation but an idea. Its founder, Otto von Bismarck, had a formidable task at hand. How would he bring thirty-nine individual states under the yoke of a single Kaiser, convincing proud Prussians, Bavarians and Rhinelanders to become Germans Once united, could the young European nation wield enough power to rival the empires of Britain and France - all without destroying itself in the process In a unique study of five decades that changed the course of modern history, Katja Hoyer tells the story of the German Empire from its violent beginnings to its calamitous defeat in the First World War. It is a dramatic tale of national self-discovery, social upheaval and realpolitik that ended, as it started, in blood and iron. Review Katja Hoyers well-researched and well-written book isthe best biography of the Second Reich in years. She cogently argues that what started in Versailles Hall of Mirrors need not have ended in the disaster of the Great War, and rightly rescues Bismarck from the ignominy of being a forerunner of Hitler. Itwill undoubtedly become the essential account of this vitally important part of European history -- Andrew Roberts, author ofChurchill: Walking with DestinySplendidly lucid and readable: Katja Hoyer has managed to compress fifty years of great complexity into a compelling and comprehensible narrative - and it isa story that every European needs to know and to understand -- Dr Neil MacGregor, author ofGermany: Memories of a NationExcellent ... Fluently written and convincingly argued,Blood and Iron is a brilliant account of an important period of history, and one thatmarks the arrival of a major new talent ... Hoyer provides a nuanced and thoughtful discussion of the causes of conflict in 1914 -- Saul David,Daily TelegraphBrisk, thoughtful and thoroughly engaging -- Dominic Sandbrook,Sunday TimesHoyer has mastered an intimidating jungle of material and writtena balanced and hugely accessible introduction to the age when Germany became Germany ... Hoyer rendersa vivid account of Wilhelm's overweening ineptitude. The Kaiser was so gaffe-prone that his ministers frequently had to issue the press with hastily rewritten transcripts of his improvised speeches -- Oliver Moody,The TimesKatja Hoyer has writtenan excellent book on the rise and fall of the German Empire from 1871 to 1918 that ispacked with detail and illuminating insights. She shows very effectively the changes in German foreign policy after Bismarcks fall from power, and the more provocative stance of Kaiser Wilhelms world policy that contributed to the outbreak of the First World War, and brought out Germanys expansionist aims during the conflict. Overall, this book fills a gap in our understanding of the Second Reich, and it helps us to understand more clearly the reasons for its failure -- Professor Frank McDonough, author ofThe Hitler YearsHoyer brings this dense period of German history to life with a lightness of touch that complements her impressive scholarship.A deeply satisfying read, highly recommended -- Julia Boyd, author ofTravellers in the Third ReichConcise and incisive, this sparkling examination of the rise and fall of the Second Reich isan excellent introduction to a crucial period of German history -- Professor Tim Blanning, author ofFrederick the GreatWe ought all to know more about the rise of the Second German Reich, founded with blood and iron in Otto von Bismarcks words, because the great catastrophes of the 20th century flow from it.In entertaining prose, Katja Hoyer makes that history highly accessible, and paints lively portraits of the political genius Bismarck and the naive egotist Kaiser Wilhelm II -- Michael Portillo, author ofPortillo's Hi