Young Wilhelm The Kaiser's Early Life, 1859-1888

This rich and compelling volume, translated from the German edition, describes the life of Kaiser Wilhelm II from his birth in 1859 to his accession in 1888. Its aim is to allow the characters on the stage to speak for themselves, in letters and diaries of quite extraordinary clarity and persuasive power. The central theme is the bitter conflict between the handicapped Prince and his liberal parents, especially his mother, Queen Victoria's eldest child "Vicky."