Metternich: The First European
As the pivotal figure in European diplomacy for the first half of the 19th century Klemens von Metternich has inspired a wealth of interpretive biographies. Few of those characterizations are as refreshing and positive as Seward's. Seward portrays Metternich as the consummate statesman of his time, whose lifelong goal was to sustain a diplomatic framework by which European nations could live in relative harmony and effectively control the more anarchic elements within their own borders. Seward continually rejects the notion that the "Metternichian system" was simply a reactionary defense of the status quo, and argues that much of the chancellor's work anticipated arrangements surrounding the current European community. The book relies heavily on Metternich's personal and state papers and contains superb sections on his rather tragic family life. Readers keenly interested in the Napoleonic era may find this portion of the work to be a bit brief, and many will undoubtedly find Seward's overall assessment to be far too complimentary. A fine work, suitable for all academic and larger public libraries.- Joseph W. Constance Jr. , Saint Anselm Coll. Lib., Manchester, N.H.Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.