Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Kaiser Wilhelm II: A Life from Beginning to End

Rate this book
Kaiser Wilhelm II * * *Download for FREE on Kindle Unlimited + Free BONUS Inside!* * * Read On Your Computer, MAC, Smartphone, Kindle Reader, iPad, or Tablet. Kaiser Wilhelm II was the last of the German emperors who reigned over the German Empire and Prussia. He was a man who thought himself to be quite adept at foreign affairs and diplomacy. The truth was, however, that this man’s talent seemed to lie in being able to alienate entire countries after only one meeting with government officials or monarchs. Inside you will read about... ✓ Born with a Disability ✓ The Year of the Three Emperors ✓ Leading Germany to World War I ✓ The Last German Emperor ✓ Wilhelm’s Exile and World War II And much more! Despite the fact that he was one of the sparks that lit the fire of World War I, Wilhelm was quite an intelligent man. Some say his diplomatic failures happened because of mental illness; others claim that it was an inferiority complex caused by the physical disability that he was born with. Whatever the case, Wilhelm II’s time as a world leader was riddled with political blunders and examples of what not to do in terms of diplomatic policies and practices. In this book, we will explore his life, both personal and professional, to find out more about how Kaiser Wilhelm II became the last German emperor.

103 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 14, 2018

158 people are currently reading
217 people want to read

About the author

Hourly History

707 books870 followers
At Hourly History, we focus on publishing history books that are concise, straightforward and take no longer than one hour to read.

Receive our new eBooks for free every Friday.
Sign up at: www.hourlyhistory.com/free

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
94 (32%)
4 stars
107 (36%)
3 stars
76 (25%)
2 stars
10 (3%)
1 star
6 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Profile Image for George Richard.
164 reviews3 followers
May 8, 2020
Man out of time

Quick consider read of the tragic story of a man out of time.
Wilhelm II could have lived very easily 100 years earlier and his attitudes matched that time not the beginning of the modern era
69 reviews
February 4, 2020
Presented well

Enjoyed reading this book. It collaborated on some facts which we had already known and gave a better understanding of the man.
3,971 reviews21 followers
February 8, 2021
Because of Queen Victoria, three royals, Kaiser Wilhelm, Tsar Nicholas, and George V are first cousins.  However, the other royals weren't able to keep Wilhelm in check.  It really sounds more like he had a mental illness instead of only an over-compensating personality to his congenital disability.  Reading about Wilhelm's behavior explains much about why and how Adolf Hitler came to power.

Wilhelm's bombastic behavior led to horrible consequences for the German people.  This was such an engrossing story that I read it in one sitting.  Wilhelm proved the adage, 'only the good die young.'  Wilhelm, after all the damage he caused, was allowed to retire to the Netherlands for the last quarter of his life.  Great reading.
Profile Image for New Beginnings.
62 reviews
May 3, 2025
Very informative

Although I have heard the name and knew of his role in Germany and WW1, it was fascinating to read a more detailed account of him as a person and leader. It appears he was a self-serving ego maniac from an early age. His role in destabilizing Europe is amazing and not in a positive way. The fact that he went to his death still believing a monarchy should and would control Germany is very telling and even while Hitler was in power he still held out hope. Very good read about a man whose name is so well known but whose life is seldom discussed.
367 reviews
July 30, 2020
Kaiser Wilhelm II - The Last Emperor of the German Empire

The book was a very illuminating and enjoyable book that I learned a great deal about Kaiser Wilhelm II. A more politically astute leader would have avoided a war that Germany was unprepared for and would ultimately lead to its destruction twice in two World Wars.
4 reviews
April 25, 2021
Needs Footnotes

As someone who wants to know more about my German heritage, I found this to be a helpful introduction to Kaiser Wilhelm II. However it was not well written. I found the unsupported assertions frustrating. Footnotes would have been appreciated.

If it had been a lengthy biography, it would have been intolerable. But it was worth the hour it took to read it.
361 reviews4 followers
February 9, 2023
I had read that Kaiser Wilhelm II politics and tactless behavior were disruptive but I did not realize to what extent. It has been said that they even contributed to the outbreak of World War I.

I enjoyed this book because it gives us an insight into his character and foreign policy. There is a lot of information packed in this concise book.
Profile Image for Stefan  Mitchell-Lauridsen.
60 reviews
February 25, 2023
Good read

Book tells a story about Kaiser Wilhelm that many of us don’t know.
Even if that start can be a bit hard to read it is a interesting book and so worth reading.
It is his life from beginning to end and where he stood when it came to nazis and Germany.
Well recommend and enjoyable read.
106 reviews1 follower
May 22, 2025
Another product of incestuous European royalty

The final Kaiser epitomizes the arrogance of the royal lineages of the European monarchies. They strutted around imposing their will on their subjects and the world with impunity. I guess real leadership does not have to originate with any one particular progenitor.
Profile Image for Anil Swarup.
Author 3 books724 followers
September 16, 2018
Hourly History offerings are as good as the ones provided by Charles River Editors. The life and the persona of Kaiser Wilhelm 2 are so well articulated in the book. The book can also be credited with bringing out the historical facts in a pretty interesting manner.
Profile Image for EvilWebBoy.
106 reviews1 follower
June 7, 2019
Kaiser Wilhelm II: A Life From Beginning to End by Hourly History
For some reason I had a Black Hole of knowledge when it came to World War I.
Thankfully Hourly History brought some light to the subject!
Profile Image for Samantha Goetz.
5 reviews1 follower
May 29, 2021
TAlk about an opportunity lost!

Well written piece of history. Easily digestible and to the point. Like the other one hour reads, this one was written with continuity, personality and objectivity. Well done.
131 reviews
November 3, 2021
Very interesting

An overly emotional leader was one of the main causes to start world war one. I liked every short chapter of how a powerful annoying leader went around angering the opposing power and speaking to quick.
22 reviews1 follower
February 7, 2022
Good book. Simple. Concise. Gives a good overview of his life, and the important role he played in shaping the 20th century

As an avid reader of history, I know a lot about the period. I could find no errors or inconsistencies in the descriptions.
Profile Image for Erica Lynn Jay.
3 reviews
August 22, 2018
AWESOME

The book was interesting read! I did not find anything wrong with the book! I would recommend this book to everyone I know!!!
Profile Image for Spencer.
100 reviews
December 31, 2020
Engaging

This format blossoms when it is a biography, in a way that is more challenging with wars or epochs. I have a better sense of who Wilhelm was now.
644 reviews
October 7, 2022
Huh.

I always thought he was a “bad guy”.
Yes, he played a role in WWII, but not the “take over the world” perspective I envisioned.
40 reviews2 followers
July 26, 2021
A little history

This little book is well written. I liked the short read and thought it was worthwhile to read. Easy concise language. All the information I need on this subject was included.
2,298 reviews7 followers
June 24, 2022
I normally enjoy these hourly history books, but I had a hard time following this one. Perhaps it is because in most of the other ones I've read, I at least know a bit about the person. About the only thing I knew about Kaiser Wilhelm II was that he was a German Leader involved in one of the world wars. Also, most of the other ones were set in the US and this one was not, so it was harder for me to visualize the geography.

Edit: I don't mean that to sound US-centric. Just that if I'm reading a biography set in the US and they talk about geography, I know where in the US certain states and cities are and can visualize that we've moved from north to south or east to west. When I'm reading about historical Germany and they mention cities or regions I'm not as familiar with, it's harder for me to visualize the path taken or where events took place.
Profile Image for Rubin Carpenter.
688 reviews
December 23, 2021
Life if an arrogant leader

This Biography is an object lesson for leaders
Of what price is paid by those who are led by those who don't listen to anyone but themselves
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.