What do you think?
Rate this book
Prisoners of Time: Prussians, Germans and Other Humans
An intellectual tour de force: the major essays of the esteemed author of international bestseller The Sleepwalkers
Christopher Clark's The Sleepwalkers has become one of the most influential history books of our century: a remarkable rethinking of the origins of the First World War, which has had a huge impact on how we see both the past and the present.
For the many readers who found the narrative voice, craftsmanship and originality of Clark's writing so compelling, Prisoners of Time will be a book filled with surprises and enjoyment. Bringing together many of Clark's major essays, Prisoners of Time raises a host of questions about how we think about the past, and both the value and pitfalls of history as a discipline.
The book includes brilliant writing on German subjects: from assessments of Kaiser Wilhelm and Bismarck to the painful story of General von Blaskowitz, a traditional Prussian military man who accommodated himself to the horrors of the Third Reich. There is a fascinating essay on attempts to convert Prussian Jews to Christianity, and insights into everything from Brexit to the significance of battles. Perhaps the most important piece in the book is 'The Dream of Nebuchadnezzar', a virtuoso meditation on the nature of political power down the ages, which will become essential reading for anyone drawn to the meaning of history.
Christopher Clark's The Sleepwalkers has become one of the most influential history books of our century: a remarkable rethinking of the origins of the First World War, which has had a huge impact on how we see both the past and the present.
For the many readers who found the narrative voice, craftsmanship and originality of Clark's writing so compelling, Prisoners of Time will be a book filled with surprises and enjoyment. Bringing together many of Clark's major essays, Prisoners of Time raises a host of questions about how we think about the past, and both the value and pitfalls of history as a discipline.
The book includes brilliant writing on German subjects: from assessments of Kaiser Wilhelm and Bismarck to the painful story of General von Blaskowitz, a traditional Prussian military man who accommodated himself to the horrors of the Third Reich. There is a fascinating essay on attempts to convert Prussian Jews to Christianity, and insights into everything from Brexit to the significance of battles. Perhaps the most important piece in the book is 'The Dream of Nebuchadnezzar', a virtuoso meditation on the nature of political power down the ages, which will become essential reading for anyone drawn to the meaning of history.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published August 5, 2021
13 people are currently reading
378 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Clark
12 books654 followersSir Christopher Munro Clark FBA is an Australian historian living in the United Kingdom and Germany. He is the twenty-second Regius Professor of History at the University of Cambridge. In 2015, he was knighted for his services to Anglo-German relations.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Read
December 29, 2025Since his bestseller The Sleepwalkers: How Europe Went to War in 1914 (2012), Australian historian Christopher Clark has placed himself firmly on the map of contemporary historiography. That book about the causes of the First World War provoked intense controversy, which is the subject of one of the articles in this collection. Naturally, Clark remains committed to the central thesis of his book, namely that of the collective guilt of all powers involved. Apparently, in Germany this was seen as a welcome reckoning with the myth of deliberate German aggression in 1914, but that is refuted by Clark.
As this collection shows, Clark is particularly interested in German history of the 19th and 20th centuries. No fewer than 8 articles zoom in on facets of Germany before and after the unification of 1870 and the disastrous 20th century. But Clark also takes a broader view. For example, his first contribution analyses the volatile phenomenon that is power, in which he punctures classic, simple interpretation schemes with ease. This book certainly was an enrichment.
As this collection shows, Clark is particularly interested in German history of the 19th and 20th centuries. No fewer than 8 articles zoom in on facets of Germany before and after the unification of 1870 and the disastrous 20th century. But Clark also takes a broader view. For example, his first contribution analyses the volatile phenomenon that is power, in which he punctures classic, simple interpretation schemes with ease. This book certainly was an enrichment.
July 31, 2024
Collection of articles that Clark previously wrote and lightly edited for this edition. The majority deals with his period of specialization, the 19th century, with an emphasis on Germany. Clark is a jack of all trades, it turns out, and he also has a keen eye for the link between the present and the past. Some of the contributions here are elaborate book reviews, such as the article about Emperor Wilhelm II, or the overview of Hitler biographies. But Clark is always nuancedly lucid. More in my History account on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
May 2, 2024
In this collection of essays and addresses by the author, Clark writes with style and force, and even an occasional exclamation point, each of which feels well placed as he argues against people who politicize history rather than study it in a clinical, neutral manner. What is it about history that makes it so damn touchy? Everything becomes an argument about now.
But, in my opinion, history has always been an argument about NOW.
I remember a book published in the early 1980s about the collapse of civilizations by some American professor who, with little analysis, ended up pinning the collapse of the Roman Empire on, surprise, surprise, overregulation and taxes. He completely missed the sapping of the central government power by the wealthy, egotistical leaders, uneducated masses, and the general absence of a competent regulatory presence. But, of course he did. His “now” was the Reagan era. What I described, just there, of course, is our “now”.
Anyway.
As the US seeks to contain China, an up and coming economic power (some would say it’s already arrived), there is rhyme with the UK-Germany relationship before WWI.
As money flows to the wealthy throughout the world and class differences expand even in the so-called developed world, there is rhyme with the world situation in the 1920s and 1930s.
As nuclear weapons treaties are allowed to lapse and emerging economies develop this technology, there is rhyme with the arms race before WWI.
So, I worry. We are all still prisoners of this idiotic timeline.
Note—I wrote this in late 2021…
But, in my opinion, history has always been an argument about NOW.
I remember a book published in the early 1980s about the collapse of civilizations by some American professor who, with little analysis, ended up pinning the collapse of the Roman Empire on, surprise, surprise, overregulation and taxes. He completely missed the sapping of the central government power by the wealthy, egotistical leaders, uneducated masses, and the general absence of a competent regulatory presence. But, of course he did. His “now” was the Reagan era. What I described, just there, of course, is our “now”.
Anyway.
As the US seeks to contain China, an up and coming economic power (some would say it’s already arrived), there is rhyme with the UK-Germany relationship before WWI.
As money flows to the wealthy throughout the world and class differences expand even in the so-called developed world, there is rhyme with the world situation in the 1920s and 1930s.
As nuclear weapons treaties are allowed to lapse and emerging economies develop this technology, there is rhyme with the arms race before WWI.
So, I worry. We are all still prisoners of this idiotic timeline.
Note—I wrote this in late 2021…
April 22, 2022
A collection of essays focusing of different social groups and events in history that have been somewhat remarkable and “prisoners of time”.
I recommended this book for my book club and I somewhat regret it. Some essays are largely about soft power and the fluidity of influence, which I personally (with a background in international relations) found really interesting and approachable.
Other essays are, in my opinion, unnecessarily over complicated and, while still interesting, they are also very dense at times and I had to force myself to continue reading throughout them as I wasn’t really engaged.
I would probably advice to Google some names/periods of time mentioned throughout the essays to be able to keep up, as there is often an assumed baseline knowledge.
I recommended this book for my book club and I somewhat regret it. Some essays are largely about soft power and the fluidity of influence, which I personally (with a background in international relations) found really interesting and approachable.
Other essays are, in my opinion, unnecessarily over complicated and, while still interesting, they are also very dense at times and I had to force myself to continue reading throughout them as I wasn’t really engaged.
I would probably advice to Google some names/periods of time mentioned throughout the essays to be able to keep up, as there is often an assumed baseline knowledge.
March 30, 2024
When I first saw this book advertised I thought it was another book examining Prussia, but from the perspective of the ordinary Prussian - so was totally far off base and it just goes to show that even the most careful and knowledgeable of us can make careless suppositions. It always pays to read thoroughly any publishers blurb and having read it once to go back and double check it!
So this is a collection of essays, some of which are very good, but if I had bought it rather then managed to get a copy from the library I would be a very disappointed, even a very pissed off reader. Historian's essays can be interesting, but even the best of them always retain the taint of their origin in publication in daily, weekly or monthly publications. Although Mr. Clark writes well and has interesting things to say (I must admit that several of his more rambling essays mentioned a number of recent works which I had missed - not that that is surprising, I miss lots of stuff - and have added them to my never ending to read list) but I honestly can't say that I think this is a good or necessary book. A book with interesting essays but I can't help thinking that instead of buying this book you would be better off taking a subscription for, or buying regularly, magazines (in the UK I leave USA and other readers to add their own selection) like the Times Literary Supplement or The Literary Review, for example.
In fairness I must allow that I learnt something valuable from one of Mr. Clark's essays 'Psychograms from the Third Reich' - I had noticed on various Goodreads reviews a regular emphasis on Hitler's and the Nazi's so called left wing/socialist credentials/viewpoint and a determination to view him and them as not right wing but left wing ideologues. Thanks to Mr. Clark I am now aware of the historian Bernard Simms and his questionable obsessions and one track determination to reveal the real truth long hidden and ignored by everyone else. that Hitler was a dangerous left wing idealogue and has nothing to do with swastika and sheet wearing right wing Americans. For that knowledge alone I am happy to say that although not the book I thought it was going to be it was still a useful book.
So this is a collection of essays, some of which are very good, but if I had bought it rather then managed to get a copy from the library I would be a very disappointed, even a very pissed off reader. Historian's essays can be interesting, but even the best of them always retain the taint of their origin in publication in daily, weekly or monthly publications. Although Mr. Clark writes well and has interesting things to say (I must admit that several of his more rambling essays mentioned a number of recent works which I had missed - not that that is surprising, I miss lots of stuff - and have added them to my never ending to read list) but I honestly can't say that I think this is a good or necessary book. A book with interesting essays but I can't help thinking that instead of buying this book you would be better off taking a subscription for, or buying regularly, magazines (in the UK I leave USA and other readers to add their own selection) like the Times Literary Supplement or The Literary Review, for example.
In fairness I must allow that I learnt something valuable from one of Mr. Clark's essays 'Psychograms from the Third Reich' - I had noticed on various Goodreads reviews a regular emphasis on Hitler's and the Nazi's so called left wing/socialist credentials/viewpoint and a determination to view him and them as not right wing but left wing ideologues. Thanks to Mr. Clark I am now aware of the historian Bernard Simms and his questionable obsessions and one track determination to reveal the real truth long hidden and ignored by everyone else. that Hitler was a dangerous left wing idealogue and has nothing to do with swastika and sheet wearing right wing Americans. For that knowledge alone I am happy to say that although not the book I thought it was going to be it was still a useful book.
May 16, 2024
I picked this book up from a bookstore in Berlin, not knowing Christopher Clark’s popularity in Germany as an historian of modern Germany. Clark alludes to this in the chapter relating to the reception of his monumental study of WW1, Sleepwalkers, which raised unexpected criticisms as a white-washing of German responsibility in the cause of the war and a vindication of Britain. This, of course, is not true, but it goes to show how history is more often than not interpreted with political motive and carries relevance in contemporary debates. It’s not a coincidence then that the centenary debate of WW1 in Britain revolved around the question of blame with the likes of Michael Gove and Boris Johnson defending the position of a Britain being a beacon of liberty against Germany, a militaristic aggressor. Any historian would regard this view shallow and conflating the Nazi blame of 1939 with 1914. Though it is undeniable that the features of Nazism extended in continuity throughout the first half of the 20th century, this should not result in an argument of inevitability and a particular unchanging German zeitgeist.
Christopher Clark, in a series of articles, lectures and book reviews, dismantles many such historical confabulations. Anyone who has read history knows how wrong historians and scholars have been at predicting the future. It is not surprising therefore that our interpretation of the unfolding of events in the manner that they do is often a false assumption of the complex nature of the human condition. An historian must bring the reader closer to understanding this condition and must therefore gave a multidisciplinary approach. Clark demonstrates such an approach that brings together historical themes with studies in science, anthropology, sociology and psychology. He, for instance, shows how the psychological characterisation of historical individuals such as Wilhelm II and Hitler, as ‘madmen’ and ‘impulsive’ or our understanding of the nature of ‘power’ in political history can drastically alter our reading of history, our reasoning of the present world, and our expectations from the future.
We are all prisoners of time, but we can nevertheless choose and reflect on the narratives of history that impose themselves on our present view of the world.
Christopher Clark, in a series of articles, lectures and book reviews, dismantles many such historical confabulations. Anyone who has read history knows how wrong historians and scholars have been at predicting the future. It is not surprising therefore that our interpretation of the unfolding of events in the manner that they do is often a false assumption of the complex nature of the human condition. An historian must bring the reader closer to understanding this condition and must therefore gave a multidisciplinary approach. Clark demonstrates such an approach that brings together historical themes with studies in science, anthropology, sociology and psychology. He, for instance, shows how the psychological characterisation of historical individuals such as Wilhelm II and Hitler, as ‘madmen’ and ‘impulsive’ or our understanding of the nature of ‘power’ in political history can drastically alter our reading of history, our reasoning of the present world, and our expectations from the future.
We are all prisoners of time, but we can nevertheless choose and reflect on the narratives of history that impose themselves on our present view of the world.
September 14, 2024
Cuando te enfrentas a un compendio de este tipo siempre pasan dos cosas: que 1 o con suerte 2 de los textos son brillantes y te aportan mucha información, que otro par de ellos no te interesan lo más mínimo por que el tema que trata es algún hecho histórico medio rebuscado de una época o un lugar que no conoces demasiado/no te interesa especialmente y otros cuantos que sin ser sobre temas de los leerías normalmente te ofrecen información útil.
Como Clark se especializa en historia alemana, los capítulos dedicados a esos temas son precisamente lo que me interesan pero también te digo que hay uno dedicado a Prusia que ayuda enormemente haber leído antes una historia de Prusia para no perderse en el análisis de la persona.
La prosa de Clark tampoco es muy divulgativa, parece que le gusta escribir rebuscadamente más para lucirse que para dar conocimiento, que al final es lo debería tratarse. En general debo decir que me arrepiento de haberlo comprado porque leí varios capítulos por no dejarlos sin leer de donde no saque nada útil.
Como Clark se especializa en historia alemana, los capítulos dedicados a esos temas son precisamente lo que me interesan pero también te digo que hay uno dedicado a Prusia que ayuda enormemente haber leído antes una historia de Prusia para no perderse en el análisis de la persona.
La prosa de Clark tampoco es muy divulgativa, parece que le gusta escribir rebuscadamente más para lucirse que para dar conocimiento, que al final es lo debería tratarse. En general debo decir que me arrepiento de haberlo comprado porque leí varios capítulos por no dejarlos sin leer de donde no saque nada útil.
August 24, 2021
A collection of essays by the author of "Sleepwalkers". The essays range across a variety of topics including the German critical response to his book about the causes of the First World War , "Sleepwalkers". Authorative and well written. Well worth a read.
April 20, 2023
A collection of essays on a variety of historical themes, some of them more interesting to me than others. Clark's writing is engaging as ever.
September 2, 2024
My favorite nice-guy historian
December 15, 2025
There’s only one dry piece in this collection, and oddly, it’s the first. The rest is a rewarding and revealing journey as one of the finest living historians tackles difficult questions with humanity, creativity and lucidity.
June 23, 2023
Christopher Clark is one of my favourite contemporary historians and I have loved all the books of him I have read. This was no exception. In contrast to his earlier books who all deal with one subject in great depth, this is a collection of essays about a lot of different topics( basically a short story collection). And as with short story collections in fiction, it's not always easy to rate such a book. Some essays I thought were brilliant, other one's were a bit less interesting to me. That's why I would rate it a bit lower then I would his other works. But I had a great time with it : it was intellectually stimulating, nuanced and provocative, his writing is not afraid to pack a punch but is always respectful and it had sone great recommendations of other historical works I want to check out ( I already ordered some).
My favourite pieces on the book were probably those who were dealing the outbreak of World War 1 and Nazi-Germany as I find those periods very interesting. 'The Kaiser and his biographer' , 'Pyschograms from The Third Reich' and ' Brexiteers, Revisionists and Sleepwalkers' were just amazing!
My favourite pieces on the book were probably those who were dealing the outbreak of World War 1 and Nazi-Germany as I find those periods very interesting. 'The Kaiser and his biographer' , 'Pyschograms from The Third Reich' and ' Brexiteers, Revisionists and Sleepwalkers' were just amazing!
February 13, 2023
This is a mixed bag of academic essays, recycled lectures and book reviews, all presented in Sir Christopher Clark's accessible and sometimes provocative style. There is a very, very loose connection between them, in that most cover German subjects. Some of the pieces which comment on recent events, such as Brexit and the nature of war, are a bit out of date even now with the current turbulent geopolitical situation. I also found Clark's attempt to counter the criticisms of his "The Sleepwalkers" (an excellent book, by the way) a bit forced. However, the two heavyweight essays on the Jews and on Zealotry in 1830s Prussia are very powerful and for these alone, I strongly recommend this book.
September 24, 2024
First, an admission - 3-stars is “mea culpa” and nothing to do with Christopher Clark’s brilliant writing.
“Prisoners of Time” is a collection of essays, articles and lectures around the themes of Central European/German history and T. S. Eliot’s idea that “Time present and time past are both perhaps present in time future. And time future contained in time past.” That is, the non-linear, messy nature of history.
I had the same feeling, reading through this book, as I do with anthologies of short stories. I found some chapters and topics much more compelling than others - and I surprised myself with which ones interested me the most - for example, the story of General von Blaskowitz.
When my attention wandered, I suspect it was more to do with my lack of education or prior knowledge. The book is not for the casual reader - and it is at a much higher intellectual level than the author’s popular history TV programmes. One example is Clark’s defence/response to criticism of his book on the causes of the First World War, “The Sleepwalkers.” I haven’t read this book so much of this was lost on me - but I only have myself to blame!
For history enthusiasts with a good level of knowledge and a love of erudite, incisive writing, it’s definitely recommended.
“Prisoners of Time” is a collection of essays, articles and lectures around the themes of Central European/German history and T. S. Eliot’s idea that “Time present and time past are both perhaps present in time future. And time future contained in time past.” That is, the non-linear, messy nature of history.
I had the same feeling, reading through this book, as I do with anthologies of short stories. I found some chapters and topics much more compelling than others - and I surprised myself with which ones interested me the most - for example, the story of General von Blaskowitz.
When my attention wandered, I suspect it was more to do with my lack of education or prior knowledge. The book is not for the casual reader - and it is at a much higher intellectual level than the author’s popular history TV programmes. One example is Clark’s defence/response to criticism of his book on the causes of the First World War, “The Sleepwalkers.” I haven’t read this book so much of this was lost on me - but I only have myself to blame!
For history enthusiasts with a good level of knowledge and a love of erudite, incisive writing, it’s definitely recommended.
June 18, 2022
Christopher Clark is one of my favourite historians and this book is yet another reminder why.
The book is structured as a set of essays which do not necessarily need to be read in order (which he says), and they cover a wide range of historical topics.
There’s some real wit and humour on show throughout, which is his style, but his thoughts on the present moment in which we find ourselves is for me where he really shines. Some strong words about the narratives we are in in Europe now, responses to Brexiters and to German academics who attacked his earlier work Sleepwalkers.
As a former student of history at Cambridge, I also enjoyed in particular his remembrance of Chris Bayly, and the way World History has been discussed as a topic.
Definitely recommend.
The book is structured as a set of essays which do not necessarily need to be read in order (which he says), and they cover a wide range of historical topics.
There’s some real wit and humour on show throughout, which is his style, but his thoughts on the present moment in which we find ourselves is for me where he really shines. Some strong words about the narratives we are in in Europe now, responses to Brexiters and to German academics who attacked his earlier work Sleepwalkers.
As a former student of history at Cambridge, I also enjoyed in particular his remembrance of Chris Bayly, and the way World History has been discussed as a topic.
Definitely recommend.
February 27, 2025
"Las trampas de la historia" és una reflexió profunda sobre com la humanitat ha caigut en errors recurrents al llarg del temps i com podem utilitzar aquest coneixement per evitar futures catàstrofes.
Clark utilitza exemples que van des de figures històriques com "Nabucodonosor" (rei de Babilònia) fins a líders moderns com "Donald Trump", passant per esdeveniments clau com les guerres mundials, les crisis econòmiques i els conflictes geopolítics.
El llibre subratlla com les decisions humanes estan influïdes per prejudicis, emocions i contextos socials, cosa que pot portar a resultats catastròfics si no es reflexiona críticament sobre les lliçons de la història.
Clark utilitza exemples que van des de figures històriques com "Nabucodonosor" (rei de Babilònia) fins a líders moderns com "Donald Trump", passant per esdeveniments clau com les guerres mundials, les crisis econòmiques i els conflictes geopolítics.
El llibre subratlla com les decisions humanes estan influïdes per prejudicis, emocions i contextos socials, cosa que pot portar a resultats catastròfics si no es reflexiona críticament sobre les lliçons de la història.
November 13, 2022
It's less rewarding to read a series of smaller writings by a historian than a full-fledged work like his Sleepwalkers. But, nevertheless, some of the writings remain interesting, while the rest are of lesser value to my eyes. Anyway, it is always nice to read him.
January 24, 2022
Erudite, engaging, wise, interesting, and well worth your time.
March 28, 2023
Random collection of essays with no discernable underlying theme.
January 3, 2024
Great Book
Want to read
January 17, 2025Alex Howard recommended anything by CC
January 28, 2026
I enjoyed this essay collection, not much more to say
October 15, 2021
Takes you on a long journey to help you see that we are trapped. Fascinating and beautifully written.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews