The Arms of Krupp: 1587-1968

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, Alfred had perfected his process for smelting steel just in time for the surge in demand from the explosive growth of railroads in the 1850s. His patented process for forging seamless railroad wheels would bankroll his entry into the global arms market.A major theme of “The Arms of Krupp,” somewhat surprisingly, is the stodgy, often blinkered view of the Prussian officer corps when it came to Krupp innovations in artillery. Far from being a truculent partnership in the cooperative development of new machines of death, the military often resisted Krupp’s latest inventions, Manchester argues. For instance, in the 1860s Krupp was promoting steel cannon over brass, which had been the standard since Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo. “[Steel] represented change,” Manchester writes, “and the ossified brass regarded all progress with slit eyes.”Amazingly, in this reviewer’s opinion, Krupp’s most steadfast opponent was the famed military innovator Albrecht von Roon. It was only after Prussia’s stunning defeat over the French in 1870 – a victory according to many owed largely to the superiority of Krupp steel artillery over the brass cannon of the French manufacturer Schneider – that the Krupp reputation as a world class arms dealer was made. But industrial political relations with Berlin remained strained as Krupp insisted on the right to sell arms broadly on the international market but expected an exclusive relationship with the Prussian military. Indeed, for much of the nineteenth century the Essen-Berlin alliance remained strained.Fritz Krupp inherited an industrial behemoth and then expanded the enterprise beyond anyone’s dreams. He was, Manchester writes, “the most successful, baffling, charming, repulsive and most enigmatic of all the Krupps.” He was also a notorious homosexual with a preference for young Italian boys. The ensuing scandal would lead to his suicide. But before his untimely death in 1902 he had galvanized the relationship between the House of Krupp and the House of the Hohenzollern. He got on fabulously with the new Kaiser, Wilhem II, who Manchester characterizes as an “irresponsible, pompous, impulsive popinjay.” The Essen-Berlin alliance was firmly established. Indeed, Manchester claims that the Hohenzollern without Krupp behind them was “a house of cards.”The next in line was Kustav Krupp von Bohlen und Holbach, the husband of Fritz’s eldest daughter Bertha. They were married in 1908 and, contrary to tradition, he took her name. A cheerless martinet and former diplomat, Manchester claims, “It is in fact doubtful that he entertained a single original thought in his entire life.” If unimaginative, he was certainly not uncommitted. Even more than his predecessor, Gustav ensured that the Krupp works were welded to the German military. At the height of World War I, Krupp was employing over 150,000 men and was churning out 9 million shells and 3,000 cannon each MONTH. The massive Krupp 420 howitzers decimated the supposedly impregnable defenses of Liege. The Kaiser was more than satisfied with his arms maker in Essen.Even more consequential to the overall story, Gustav was committed to rearmament after the war and collaborated with the General Hans von Seekt in circumventing the restrictions of Versailles. The Krupp family came late to the National Socialist party, but when they came they did so with gusto. The alliance between Hitler and Krupp was tight and consequential. Hitler bestowed special privileges upon the Krupp works and the Krupp works bestowed upon Hitler the war machines necessary to fulfill his destiny. The story of that relationship, first with Gustav and then, after his retirement in 1943, with his son, Alfried, takes up half of the book, a total of 400 pages. Indeed, the narrative becomes overwhelming. The great surprise is that the backward, “inferior” Slavs of the Soviet Union would outpace Krupp in terms of both quantity and quality during the war. Soviet weapons designed and manufacture was something of a miracle, according to Manchester.The last quarter of the book deals with the fate of Alfried Krupp, convicted of war crimes and stripped of his property at Nuremberg, only to be pardoned by American proconsul in Germany, John J. McCloy. Manchester sees the clemency as a miscarriage of justice. “If you were to say that Krupp was not guilty, it would be as true to say that there had been no Auschwitz fuse factory, no company concentration camps, no Rothschild gassed, no basement torture cage, no infant corpses, no slain, no crime, no war.” Yet, Alfried emerged from the Landsberg prison in 1951 a free and very rich man – and a national hero.In closing, “The Arms of Krupp” isn’t for everyone. While readable and at times brilliant, it is, in the end, excessive and stilted. Manchester is no fan of the Germans in general and, most of all, is appalled at the clemency shown to Alfried after the Second World War. The general reader should probably avoid this tome, but for those with a deep interest in German history and particularly the Nazi military-industrial complex it is not to be missed.

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 forefront. Alfred builds the family fortune on silverware and railroad wheels. But his pet project cannons will transform the family business into an armaments factory.The history of Germany and Krupp are intertwined. As you read about Krupp's influence on Prussia and the world, you will learn about the foundations of the country of Germany. Read as a small insignificant power stands up to France, the strongest military around at the time, and beats them decisively in the Franco-Prussian War. Krupp's cannons and Prussian tactics change the military landscape dramatically.There is little in the book about the first world war. Most of the content during these times is Alfred arming every nation he can, which sometimes leads him into conflict with Kaiser Wilhelm I and II. But the Kaisers embrace Krupp and usually submit to their requests. Kaiser Wilhelm II is so involved with the Krupp company that he supports Friedrich Alfred "Fritz" Krupp when exposed for hiring underage boys for sex. And after Fritz's suicide, Kaiser Wilhelm II selects the husband for Bertha Krupp when she comes of age.But the majority of The Arms of Krupp is dedicated to Gustav and Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach actions after World War I and during World War II. In fact, 5/8 of the book cover this period. For those who think Krupp was blameless during WWII, this book will set the record straight. Gustav almost single handedly planted the seeds of the rearmament of Germany, violating the Treaty of Versailles soon after the war and well before Hitler came to power. They were developing plans for new weapons and operating under shadow companies to allow them to develop weapons. Gustav was not the earliest of supporters for Hitler (Alfried had joined the SS in 1931), but once he provided his backing, he went all the way. Gustav funded Hitler directly and encouraged others to do so as well. Once Hitler was in power, Gustav bent the Krupp company full speed into arms manufacturing.Gustav was succeeded by his son Alfried as strokes and dementia diminish Gustav's ability to lead the firm. Manchester examines Alfried's childhood, family life, leadership style, and character. He then focuses on Alfried actions showing his guilt in pillaging conquered territories and use of slave labor. Based on this evidence, there could be little doubt that Alfried deserved his place at the hangman noose. However, that was not to be. As Germany's position deteriorates, Alfried is collected as a war criminal. Due to confusion between him and his father, the Allied authorities do not put Alfried on trial until after the first defendants are tried. By the time Alfried is convicted in 1948, political circumstances have changed and Alfried receives a 12 year prison sentence (he only serves 6 years) and forfeiture of property (something that never really happens). Manchester then discusses how Alfried was later freed by a review panel, that did not even consult the original judges or prosecution.Once Alfried is freed, Manchester details Alfried's renewed control of the firm using Berthold Beitz as his mouthpiece. He discusses Alfried's efforts to avoid selling his coal and steel assets. He also follows Alfried's efforts to drum up new business for the firm. However, Alfried's son Arndt has a complete lack of interest in the business. Manchester explains the firm's financial difficulties with the massive debts and the falling coal prices and demand. Alfried's attempts to save the firm and avoid opening the books, but with Alfried's death and the firm's finances in public view, Firma Friedrich Krupp is dissolved. And so ends Manchester's book. There is no discussion of what the Krupp firm dissolved into, only that it was no more. I would also note that this book rarely focuses on the details of Krupp inventions. Manchester provides enough description to explain their significance, but if you want more depth on this you will have to get that somewhere else.I visited Villa Hugel, the family estate, recently since I happened to be nearby on a trip. Not surprisingly due to the stigma of World War I and II, there was virtually no display of the armaments that Krupp is most known for. Most of the display is dedicated to peaceful pursuits. I wouldn't recommend going out of your way to see it, but if you are in the area and have read the book you might want to check it out.

I looked forward to getting and reading this book, the book spanned Krupps history from train wheel manufacture to supplier of arms to two major wars WW1 WW2 and numerous other conflicts around the world. It is a written history of a dynasty of the Krupp family and their ( steel ) determination to be the only and best gun maker in the WORLD , by learning of better and more efficient ways of producing steel to make gun barrels , but the books is more that that , its relationships with its customers / governments / Germany as a whole as being the biggest employer in the country, a provider of social amenities / housing / shops schools / pensions and with Hitler , including their involvement with slave labour and concentration camps

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

I read this book a long time ago, and recently bought a new copy so I could read it again. It's a long book, but very well written, by one of my favorite authors. If you like history, and like to read, it will give you many satisfying hours. I would have bought a Kindle version if there were one; the book is very heavy, and since it's paperback, it doesn't lie flat.

A lengthy, epic tale. Told in a tongue-in-cheek style up to the Franco-Prussian war, then told in a more sober manner.But the second half of the book should have been edited. Here the content is so diffuse and random the book stalls.Still a good read, but only once.

Bought as gift. A great collectible for a book reader.