Otto von Bismarck is one of the iconic figures in world history. The “Iron Chancellor” of Prussia, he created the German Empire (II Reich) and managed to strengthen its position in the world; Bismarck was well versed in foreign policy, well aware of the state of European states and Russia (he lived in St. Petersburg for a long time, being the Prussian ambassador to our country). In his book, Bismarck talks about how the German Empire was created, how the political map of Europe changed after that, what problems faced European countries, what role Russia played in Europe. Many of Bismarck's warnings, including those concerning future military conflicts, have fully come true, and his assessments of the future that awaits the world have not lost their relevance today.