In a work based on new archival, press, and literary sources, the author revises the picture of German imperialism as being the brainchild of a Machiavellian Bismarck or the "conservative revolutionaries" of the twentieth century. Instead, Fitzpatrick argues for the liberal origins of German imperialism, by demonstrating the links between nationalism and expansionism in a study that surveys the half century of imperialist agitation and activity leading up to the official founding of Germany's colonial empire in 1884.

" This is an important.[and] a very strong book. It successfully challenges older paradigms that separate German liberalism from imperialism or see the conjoining of the two as a late aberration."  ·  German History

"The author's] elegant account?represents a timely and important contribution to the existing literature...[that] represents the most sustained attempt to reframe the argument."  ·  The American Historical Review

"...this is a stimulating work with a solid argument and place in the current historiography. In this, it draws attention to the importance of discourse on overseas expansion within many sectors of the German liberal-nationalist movement."  ·  Canadian Journal of History/Annales canadiennes d'histoire

"Fitzpatrick's short but hard-hitting book seeks to reinstate imperialism as a fundamental constituent of German liberalism. As such it is a welcome and worthy addition to Berghahn's invaluable 'Monographs in German History' series."  ·  Central European History