In recent years studies of the German empire have become increasingly more complex, bigger, and prone to controversy. Jeffries (German history, U. of Manchester) sorts out the diversity of current thinking about the period in German history from unification in 1871 to the end of the war, and includes research and insights from over a century in his mix. He examines the work of leading historians, analyzes historians' claims about Bismark and Kaiser Wilhelm II, and looks at conflicts over the politics and governance of the period. He also describes the different perspectives on society and culture of the German empire, and shows how foreign policy and colonialism related to the onset of the Great War. The result is accessible, well-organized and objective. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)