Frederick the Great

by Nancy Mitford

In this biography of Frederick the Great, Nancy Mitford carefully unravels the complex character of one of Europe's brilliant rulers. She re-creates his unhappy youth; his reforming zeal, which paved the way for a united Germany; and his spectacular wars.

The father; the unhappy family; escape; rehabilitation; marriage; out of a Rembrandt into a Watteau; the throne; check to the queen of Hungary; diplomats' nightmare; the king's friend; the second Silesian war; thoughts on warfare; Sans Souci; the poet; the reversal of alliances; the Seven Years' War; Ma Soeur de Bayreuth; the great Frederick; man is made to work; the uncle of Germany; the Potato War; winter.