Originally published in 1940, this book contains the German text of selected sections of Otto von Bismarck's three-volume autobiography Gedanken und Erinnerungen. It covers Bismarck's youth briefly before delving more deeply into his political achievements from 1847 until retirement. Gibson summarises each chapter and, in the footnotes, provides explanations for biographical and historical references made in the text. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in Bismarck's career and the construction of the German state.