The Krupp Family Dynasty: Arms Production from 1587 to 1968

Laurene: prompt delivery, in great condition. thank you

Australia on Sep 01, 2023

Harrison: I bought this because my Grandfather lent the same to me several years ago and I wanted to read it again. It gives enough technical detail to make it interesting to somebody who understands metallurgy and modern European history fairly well whilst also making it easy to understand for somebody who just enjoys history but finds all the metallurgy to be confusing. Doesn’t just delve into the armament business, but also who the Krupp family was and how they lived through the centuries

United Kingdom on Jun 01, 2022

James S. Mclean: The book is long and detailed but chock-full of valuable, essential information. The author did a monumental job and the reader has an obligation to read, digest and consider every word. I learned a great deal.

Canada on Mar 29, 2022

T. Graczewski: Originally published in 1964, “The Arms of Krupp” has earned the title of a non-fiction classic. Highly readable, the tale William Manchester tells is fascinating and all the more enjoyable for his mordant wit. At over 800 pages in length, however, it is a daunting read and at times can feel overwhelming.

The Krupp steel company shuffled along on the brink of insolvency in the Ruhr Valley town of Essen for several generations before Alfred Krupp (1812-1887) took over the company at the preposterously early age of 14. His father had left him a small foundry with less than ten employees on the verge of bankruptcy. Half a century later Alfred would leave his son, Fritz (1854-1902), the largest industrial enterprise in the resurgent Second Reich with over 20,000 workers and a reputation for excellence known the world over.

It wasn’t easy for Alfred Krupp, the man who would become known as the “Cannon King.” In many ways, as is often the case in business, luck had something to do with it. Through grit and sagacious management, Alfred had grown the Krupp steel works slowly but competently over several decades. Arms had never been their primary product. Rather,...

United States on Apr 13, 2021

Search for Truth: This is a very informative book if one wants to see the power behind the power.
The arms industry can and does arm people to increase profits and to promote wars on peaceful unsuspecting people all over the world.
Not only that but Alfried Krupp a known pedophile withe title Canon fuhrer, who tortured people in freezing cold weather by putting them in steel boxes and having cold water thrown on them was put in prison for only a short time.
General John McCloy from the USA had him sprung to fight the cold war.
That war was fought to keep America and the whole world in a state of terror so they would not only be willing to give up freedoms for piece, but also so the arms industry could continue to make it's I'll gotten gains off of we the people.

United States on Jan 02, 2020

Kindle Customer: Very thorough record of who the big players were in both World Wars, shocking to see how two of the largest industrialists in Germany were complicit in those conflicts, and the incompetence of the Allies for failing to keep them under control.

United States on Mar 06, 2019

Kat3: One of my favourite books! The story of the Krupp family dynasty steel barons from their humble beginnings. Most interesting was the part on the eccentric Alfred Krupp. The stories made me laugh out loud! There are many photos dispersed throughout the book too. William Manchester is a gifted storyteller who uses many primary sources such as personal letters to tell this tale. It is a must read.

Germany on Mar 20, 2017

GATTU: Verywellwritten.Interesting.

India on Sep 27, 2016

JH: I was vaguely aware of the Krupp name mostly in relation to World War I and their siege cannons. But, I had no idea of the true significance of this family run business and dynasty. Reading about Krupp for the first time, I was amazed by their impact on the Franco-Prussian War, the re-armament of Germany after WWI, and Krupp's complicity with the Third Reich and exploitation and murder of Jews and conquered peoples. The history of the Krupp dynasty is definitely a story worth telling and one William Manchester does good job of setting down.

The Arms of Krupp traces the history of the Krupp family from the beginnings in Essen. Manchester pieces together what is known about Arndt Krupp and explains the how grew the family estate by purchasing property during the height of plague outbreak. The family became a cornerstone of Essen participating or leading the local government. But, the Krupps were not always successful. Manchester also relates the life of Friedrich Krupp as he brings the family to the brink of complete ruin. But, Friedrich's obsession to be the great industrialist is transferred to his son Alfred Krupp; and, Alfred is able to put the Krupp name back to the...

United States on Dec 29, 2013

Tony Bryk: I have read this book many years ago and remember being impressed with it then. On rereading it, the awsomeness of the consequences of this family on the world and their influence in strategies of war is still staggering. Greed and power combined make frightening bedfellows. Yet it continues. Manchester's novel is well worth reading to gain an insight into what really goes on behind the scenes of every war fought and possibly initiated by this family during the last 100 years.

Probably the arrow and shield makers of eons ago where equally busy creating conflict to sell their wares.

We live in a scary world - at least this book makes us acutely aware of it.

United States on Dec 26, 2012