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A Duel of Giants

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

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A Duel of Giants

By: David Wetzel
Narrated by: Jim D. Johnston
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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
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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)
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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

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