Metternich: The First European Paperback – July 21, 2015

Clemens von Metternich was a major architect of foreign affairs for the Austrian Empire. He was also a major figure in European diplomacy overall. He had a vision for Austria and for Europe (as a means of protecting Austrian interests). From the time of Napoleon to the late 1840s, he was a force to be reckoned with.This book does a wonderful job of describing his work--and his personal life and how the two fit. It is welcome to have the author refer to Henry Kissinger's work on Metternich and get Desmond Seward's take on that work. Many have forgotten that before he was a statesman, Kissinger was a well reputed academic. Seward's work reminds us of Kissinger's intellectual contributions.Metternich's foreign policy was, essentially, a defense of the status quo in Europe, deigned to quell liberal/revolutionary change. He worked with other leaders in Europe--especially Russia, Prussia, England, France (after Napoleon's fall), and others as needed--to try to enforce order.The book also describes the difficult Austrian context within which Metternich had to work. The Austrian Empire was unwieldy, with many languages and cultures and religions under one big tent. There were always internal tensions. While Metternich had ideas as to how to address these, he was not given much domestic responsibility by the monarch for whom he worked.The book does a nice job of describing his career setbacks and triumphs and his complicated personal life.Want to learn something about Metternich? This is a good place to start.

Excellent portrait of a gifted man for those times; we now need more like him in these times!

I am ambivalent about Metternich because he loved animals and was kind to them. That always gets high marks in my estimation of people. This author writes: "Unusually for a man of his class and time, Metternich himself neither shot nor hunted; he was sorry for the dead game when it was brought in, wondering how people could kill such beautiful creatures. He was so fond of animals that he placed lumps of sugar next to the mouse holes in his library."But unfortunately one must also judge him as a statesman.This book is clearly a love-letter to Metternich. Halfway through the story, we find this testament to his sterling character: In dealing with the rising Rothschild family, "Metternich encouraged them to set up a branch at Vienna, making a friend of Salomon Rothschild...Metternich was responsible for all five brothers being created barons, an excellent investment. Not only did they ensure Austria's financial viability, but more than once they helped Metternich personally; in 1822 they were to lend him nearly a million gulden, though there was never any hint of bribery."So a million gulden did not buy him. I wonder...And when unrest arose on European campuses, lest we believe that he was only interested in defending the privileges of the aristocracy, we are told the following:"It is only justice to stress that Metternich's dislike of German liberalism stemmed from more than fear that constitutional monarchies might take power away from the aristocracy. He genuinely believed that they were merely preludes to revolution."And a bit later, with European unrest increasing, we read: "In October the 'Carlsbad Decrees' were approved by the federal Diet. However repressive the decrees may seem, Metternich was undoubtedly justified when, referring to the universities, he warned his Emperor, 'A whole class of future officials, professors and would-be literary men is there, which is ripening for revolution'."On page 167 of the Kindle version, the author Desmond Seward begins an astonishing rant about the Nazi movement a hundred years in the future. I use the word rant because that is how the author himself vilifies the call for a German national patriotic movement. Apparently non-Austrians were never supposed to express or foster patriotism.It is pitiful that this author relies so often on the opinions of Henry Kissinger -- a man deserving the severest condemnation and contempt for his defense of the Vietnam War, a man who stated, in his cavernous, sepulchral tones, with such a pretense of gravity, such dishonesty, that "Peace is at hand", when he knew that America was getting horribly beaten and that the war was years from ending. This memorable lie was told in 1974, two weeks before a presidential election, two years before the American army was driven out of Vietnam. This is the authority in whom we are supposed to place an iota of faith.Typical of this biography, the author passes over with a few words the atrocities committed by Czarist troops called in by the government under Metternich to break the revolt in Hungary and return it to Austrian oppression.This book is extremely dry; getting through it is a real struggle. I skipped many portions, including the last pages where the author pontificates at great length on the political movements of the twentieth century.I do not recommend this book. It is too biased to trust.

Well written but not as in depth as I would have liked.

I had not read a biography on Metternich before, so this was my introduction and it did not disappoint!

The author assumes that the reader can remember the role of every person he mentions. There is no index to help you nor a list of who was who. The author also assumes that the reader has a thorough background in European history during the the period covered by this book---so bone up before you try to read this--especially the less familiar period following the fall of Napoleon. Finally, the author assumes that, of course, everyone who reads his book must also know German and French. He quotes both languages without translation. Is this perhaps just a bit snobbish?

Metternich appears so modern and relevant. A great and honest politician. Great book very entertaining, A must read in thai troubled times.

A good overview of the man & his work. Gives a lot of great information w/o becoming overburdened with details. Helpful for someone with a casual interest.

Shines a light on a most important period in European - indeed world - history. Metternich understood the importance of a federation of the main European powers enjoying equal respect that might have resulted in a very different 20th century. Keeping societies within the rigid class-ridden constraints of his day, however, would never have been possible. After all Metternich’s power, influence and accomplishments he takes temporary refuge in Brighton soon after his downfall (which he loves). How fascinating is that?

In an era of great statesman he stands out and this book does him justice. The only slight criticism I have as that it undervalues the role Talleyrand had.

A bit stodgy and textbook like.