OTTO EDUARD LEOPOLD VON BISMARCK (18151898) was born into a family that had belonged to the nobility from the 14th century. He studied law at the Universities of Gttingen and Berlin, and later served as prime minister of Prussia, from 1862 to 1873, and as Germanys first chancellor, from 1871 to 1890. In this two-volume set, Otto von Bismarck gives a full account of his life, from his formative years through to his resignation from the office of chancellor. Bismarck spent many years editing and revising the story of his life before arriving at this final product. He explains how the idea of a unified Germany took hold and manifested in his diplomatic work. Volume II covers the formation of the unified state and Bismarcks attempts to remove Catholicism from Germany and ends with the rule of Emperor Frederick III. History buffs will love this firsthand account from one of the most influential figures in European history.