Quote:
Originally Posted by HRH Kerry
Now that we're at the end...what two men do you know privately celebrate the anniversary of their first meeting? Maybe it was never proven that Willy was homosexual but was it really ever investigated? The writing was on the wall!
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Kerry, if you are interested in this topic you might like to read “Kaiser Wilhelm II and the ‘Liebenberg Circle’ ” by Isabel Hull or some of the books on Wilhelm by John C. G. Röhl, in particular "Kaiser Wilhelm II. New Interpretations. The Corfu Papers"
Amazon.de: Kaiser Wilhelm II: New Interpretations: The Corfu Papers: J. Rohl: English Books
... though these books deal with the topic in the larger context only.
However, I believe it is a shame that Clay does not stick to facts but implies a lover's affair between Eulenburg and Wilhelm. After all she is not writing fiction, but a factual report which should include no innuendo.
Considering the fact that she namens above mentioned Röhl in her Acknowledgement might explain this lapse. This English Historican was first known in his contribution to the firt German historian's dispute in the 60ies.
Back then the work of the historian Fritz Fischer about the German politics before and during WW1 was discussed, in particular concerning their share in the beginning of the conflict and the military objectives of the empire. Röhl's contribution attacked mainly the group around Wilhelm II. It is through today doubtful, if his thesis that this cirlce of men decided the war 1 1/2 years prior the beginning of war in 1912 is right. The main adversaries of Röhl being members of the national conservative German historians.
Due to this opposition Röhl realigned his focus on the position and influence of Philipp Eulenburg leading to new insight concerning the informal kind of leadership Wilhelm practiced as well as his potential homosexuality and other peculiarities. All in all Röhls work was certainly important and lead to a new perception. Still, Clay should have broadened her horizon by using other sources, too.