Germany's Second Reich : Portraits and Pathways

Despite recent studies of imperial Germany that emphasize the empire's modern and reformist qualities, the question remains: to what extent could democracy have flourished in Germany's stony soil? In Germany's Second Reich, James Retallack continues his career-long inquiry into the era of Bismarck and Kaiser Wilhelm II with a wide-ranging reassessment of the period and its connections with past traditions and future possibilities.

In this volume, Retallack reveals the complex and contradictory nature of the Second Reich, presenting Imperial Germany as it was seen by outsiders and insiders as well as by historians, political scientists, and sociologists ever since.

"One of the profession's leading experts on the Second Reich, James Retallack writes with a grace and clarity that showcases his broad knowledge, judicious reading, and generosity of spirit. Both newcomers and experts alike will benefit from these essays." - James Brophy, Francis H. Squire Professor of History, University of Delaware