BISMARCK MYTH: WEIMAR GERMANY AND THE LEGACY OF THE IRON CHANCELLOR

"Based on a large selection of primary sources, this book provides a perceptive analysis of the Bismarck myth's profound impact on Germany's political culture. In particular, it investigates the ways in which that myth was used to undermine parliamentary democracy in Germany after the Great War, paving the way for its replacement by authoritarian rule under an allegedly 'Bismarckian' charismatic leader, Adolf-Hitler. Essential reading for anyone interested in modern German history, this book sheds new light on the Weimar Republic's struggle for survival and the reasons for its failure."--Jacket.