Even before the empire collapsed amid the turmoil of capitulation and revolutionary movements, it suffered from a lack of political leadership: the decision-makers who sought to save it in the autumn of 1918 ultimately became its undertakers due to their lack of initiative and ideas. With astonishing knowledge of sources and an understanding of the motivations of the main actors, Lothar Machtan paints a picture of the German monarchy dancing on a volcano. In particular, the bizarre interplay of intrigue and politics within the innermost circle of power comes into focus: the survival strategy of the German imperial couple, the political half-betrayal of the last imperial chancellor, and the rational monarchism of Ebert, the chairman of the powerful SPD. The politics of the streets are also highlighted as an accelerant in this countdown. Thus, an exciting scenario emerges.