Why was Otto Von Bismark so successful?

When Bismarck first got into politics many people already knew of his reputation as a strong and feared man, no one however could envisage that within 9 years he could do the impossible, unite Germany. So what made Bismarck so special? As we have already discussed he was helped largely by his canny ability to strike the opposition when they where at less than full strength, nevertheless victories over Denmark in the Schleswig Holstein affair, Austria …

…