Prisoners of Time. Prussians, Germans and Other Humans: Christopher Clark

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.