From a renowned military historian and winner of a Pritzker Literature Award, this book provides a refreshing, multidimensional depiction of Frederick the Great and an objective, detailed reappraisal of his military, political, and social achievements. Early chapters set the scene with an excellent summary of eighteenth-century Europe and the Age of Reason; an analysis of the character, composition, and operating procedures of the Prussian army; and an exploration of Frederick’s personality as a young man. Later chapters examine his stunning victories at Rossbach and Leuthen; his defeats at Prague and Kolín; and Prussia’s emergence as a key European power.

Matrices and probabilities --Wars for Silesia : 1740-45 -- Breathing space and renewals -- Prussia ascendant -- Years of balance : 1758-59 -- Prussia contra Europe : 1760-63 -- Coda : 1763-86.