As a person who neither knew nor had any interest about Middle European history - let alone Prussia; Iron Kingdom was not only exceptionally informative but comes close to the most interesting historical books I have read. The book is not only informative but it is written in a way where you cannot help but be pulled in. The historical characters and political conflicts and the constant change Prussia makes for fun reading.Clark pulls no punches in this book, he goes straight into the history, quick-smart. You are being taught something every page and every paragraph. From the very beginning to the very end the history of Prussia comes to life. It delves into all aspects of society, from: military, politics, religion, diplomacy, religion, domestic law and culture - even the representation and influence of women. The author presents the history and the short biographies of the rulers. It tries to paint an ever changing political atmosphere of Europe; it does so in a way that you think have gathered some rational understanding on how the rulers saw their political landscape, and how the Prussian political environment influenced the way that the ruler and also the future heir formed and practiced their political views and their governance over it. For example, Fredrick the Great Elector was born and raised during the 30 year old. As such, he was moved to ensure his safety. Clarke then forms how he believes that the different environments Fredrick grew up with and discusses why he believes those environments shaped and constructed his ultimate views on how to govern Prussia. Clarke believes that the almost cosmopolitan up-bringing significantly changed Prussia into a greater and a greater structured empire. For example, Fredrick became dedicated in the way soldiers were trained. From the years in the Dutch Republic he - as Clarke writes - he forms an appreciation of the discipline, manoeuvres and top of the art weaponry among the Dutch army. From this, he re-imagined the Prussian soldier. From this, Clarke represents how Prussia cemented itself in history, writing not in the normal predictable deterministic way that some historians write in, but writing in a way to present and convey how a European empire was gradually formed by one boy and the ideas he formed via his environment. The biography may stretch the truth, of course. Yet it turns history in what it is, and that it is: life. Not a historical figure but a real person, with his own independent way of thinking.It also explores the constant changing of cultural and religious values, which were quite enthralling. Clarke writes in length about the how and why the conflict of the Calvinists and the Lutherans, and how this conflict help ignite a new form of religious movement within Prussia. He talks about the conflict both on the political side and the unrest amongst the citizens. Then Clarke discusses how this sparked Pietism as a possible solution to the religious conflict, and he details how this movement conceptualized throughout Prussia; changing not only religious beliefs and practices but also cultural and societal change. For example, the monarchy adopted the Pietist way by opening Pietists military schools throughout Prussia. The Pietist movement placed the individual as scared and gain fulfilment through and within the individual - breaking away from the ecclesiastical establishment. It place pinnacle importance on the self discipline by the individual and for the individual and the importance of the experience of life through the individual; which creates an ideal belief system to nurture the European Enlightenment.Clarke most intriguing chapter - for me, was on the enlightenment and how Prussia due to the monarch and the current views of his people, greatly influenced it. Fredrick the Great was a strong and devoted believer of a progressive, more human empire. For example, he virtually made torture illegal, due to its barbarity, plus he concluded that the practice generated false information. He even allowed for talks and phamlets about questioning the monarch itself. Although he was so loved, even Kant proclaimed one could live under an enlightened monarch. By having a progressive monarch and a movement that placed its value within the individual itself and and the idea one can work upon themselves and archive Christ within himself; is it no wonder how Kant developed his philosophy?There are many, many things I have not discussed. I have written about the things that were most interesting to me.I would recommend this book to layperson that has only a minor interest in European history, or any interest in western political/philosophy thought. The book is fluent and easy to understand. No historical prerequisite of Europe is needed - although there many wars, battles and treaties; yet a quick google will help with the basics. This book has made me aware of the importance of an empire, which seems completely forgotten and unknown within my culture. It has created a thirst for European history, which something I will undertake with vigor. So if a book can create such excitement about something I had absolutely no interest in me, which know creates a very strong interest to not only to Prussia's history but to all European past; it definitely deserves 5 stars!Christopher Clark's Iron Kingdom is an intimate and detailed study of Prussia throughout the years 1600-1947. With it's nucleus of Berlin and Brandenburg, we follow the rise and fall of this chameleon kingdom that was capable of both grass roots enlightenment and callous brutality.Much fascinating information unfolds from this narrative and there are several impressions worth referring too that had significant consequences: - Frederick the Greats resentment of Austria over the execution of his boyhood friend Katte, who he saw as partly responsible for such an extreme punishment, bearing a grudge that would coalesce with his plans to invade Silesia, a rich neighbouring province within the Habsburg borders: - The development of Pietism; a religious movement born of the enlightenment that spread throughout the establishment to raise the general educational level of Prussia's citizens to an unprecedented and unfettered degree: - The contrary effects of the Napoleonic wars that ushered in remarkable feats of reform under pressing circumstances; consequential to those experiences of defeat and reform, Christopher claims that the innovation of the breach loading rifle with its increased rate of firepower and the ability of Prussian infantry units on the battlefield to form flexible deployments, could only be achieved through a high literacy rate among the soldiers; a point worth considering when viewing the success of Prussia's wars during the 1860's. One of the most pertinent impressions though was the constitutional flaw in Prussia's make up with regard to the unimpeachable power of the monarch as Commander in Chief of all armed forces. . ."Here was a potentially troublesome legacy of the Prussian constitutional tradition, in which the army had sworn its fealty to the monarch and led an existence apart from the structures of civil authority."Of course there is so much else besides, Clark's very sober assessment of Bismarck is a welcome contrast to the usual admiration bordering on hero worship that his complex legacy has inspired, although personally, cynical and manipulative though Bismarck could be, I tended to give him the benefit of the doubt and liked to think he wasn't all real politick, that he was a genuine visionary and a consequence of the Pietistic tradition that had the well being of people at heart, surely his social welfare programs bore that out. That sentiment soon took quiet a battering however as a typical ploy of the reactionary regimes throughout Europe of the nineteenth century was to adopt much of the social question proposals for reform offererd up by the middle class and work those into their own agenda; but the real blot on Bismarck's copy book was the proscriptions inflicted upon the Catholic population during the 1880's in a land where tolerance and respect for Jewish society was well known. Bismarck's Protestant suspicions of a resurgent Jesuit network got the better of his judgement.Christopher continues to clinch his worthy perceptions with his assessment of Hindenburg and Ludendorff. Perhaps another of Bismarck's negative influences was how he would threaten William I with resignation if he didn't get his way. Hindenburg and Ludendorff would take note and employ similar bullying tactics of blackmail against Kaiser Wilhelm II during the First World War to far greater negative consequences. In an ironic twist to Hindenburg's sage image, Christopher concludes his portrait with the following, a statement that also serves as a metaphor between old Prussia and the new. . ."The field marshal had a high opinion of himself and he doubtless believed that he personified a `Prussian' tradition of selfless service. But he was not, in truth, a man of tradition. He was not in any deterministic sense a product of the old Prussia, but rather of the flexible power politics that fashioned the new Germany. As a military commander and later as Germany's head of state, Hindenburg broke virtually every bond he entered into. He was not the man of dogged, faithful service, but the man of image, manipulation and betrayal".With this book alone, Christopher Clark ranks as one of the finest historians past or present, his insights are well judged and his literary style is an exceptional pleasure to read for its detailed analysis and sheer elegance. I opted for the expensive hard back edition because of the larger format but if small print is not an issue than an inexpensive paper back is readily available: Highly recommended!This is a thorough and scholarly examination of Prussia, its rise, its politics, its society. At times narrative, at times thematic this is not an easy book for the casual reader. But for anyone with an interest in German or European history this book is a must.This reads like the very dry history A Level books I had to wade through in the 80s.There’s no attempt to bring the period to life or give a feel to the characters of the electors and kings.Disappointing.I cannot recommend this book strongly enough. Anybody who thinks the subject matter might be tedious is in for a big surprise. Told with gusto, superior knowledge and a flair for narrative. It is by far the best book on Prussia and its history. Especially good on Pietism - again not lecturingly told, just very very informed and brilliantly written. Buy it! Read it!Absorbing history of Prussia as a political entity in itself and in the world. Very helpful in putting in context anything you might think of from Frederick the Great to Bismarck to WW1 and 2. As with his views on the origins of WW1 and the life of Wilhelm II, Clark gives a view that is not the usual black and white that one is fed by other English language sources, but can sometimes even reverse those colours.. certainly portray them in a nuanced way that seems hard to controvert. One thing seems reasonably probable - even the reunification of Germany will not bring back Prussia, but its legacy remains in many ways.This is a scholarly history of Prussia and the foundation of modern Germany up to the end of WW2. It is immensely detailed, but very readable. Kept me out of mischief for a couple of weeks! Recommended.