A Duel of Giants cover art

A Duel of Giants

Bismarck, Napoleon III, and the Origins of the Franco-Prussian War

 Preview

Get 30 days of Standard free

£5.99/mo after trial. Cancel monthly.
Try for £0.00
More purchase options

A Duel of Giants

By: David Wetzel
Narrated by: Jim D. Johnston
Try for £0.00

£5.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for £12.69

Buy Now for £12.69

About this listen

Combining impeccable scholarship and literary elegance, David Wetzel depicts the drama of machinations and passions that exploded in a war that forever changed the face of European history.

©2001 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System (P)2016 Redwood Audiobooks 19th Century Europe France Germany Military Modern Political Science Politics & Government Western Europe War

Critic reviews

"David Wetzel provides a clear narrative of the diplomatic background to the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War...Recommended as a useful introduction to a major theme in European history..." ( Times Literary Supplement)
"David Wetzel has produced a readable and praiseworthy book... a solidly researched, soundly argued account of the events leading to the outbreak of war between France and Prussia in July 1870." ( Journal of Military History)
"David Wetzel has created a fascinating story that illustrates the supreme importance of personalities in the making of politics and, more important, the making of wars." (Sir Michael Howard, Oxford University)
All stars
Most relevant
This is history in the Alan Taylor style, big characters making key decisions, with a strong strand of Taylor revisionism, even down to Taylor's sympathetic treatment of Bismark. History as cock-up rather than conspiracy or grand strategy. Entertaing if a little frivolous at times. A good listen.

AJP Taylor Lives

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.