David Crane

The Franco-Prussian war changed the map of Europe – so why are we so ignorant about it?

Rachel Chrastil describes how Bismarck, relying on Gallic pride to provoke the war he wanted, ensured that France would fight without a single ally

Portrait of Bismarck, by Franz Seraph von Lenbach, 1890. [Bridgeman Images]
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  • Bismarck’s War: The Franco-Prussian War and the Making of Modern Europe

    Rachel Chrastil

    Allen Lane, pp. 485, £30

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