Frederick the Great

Rating:
Summary: Interesting But Flawed
Review: Although this book is very well-written (at times it feels like a novel), I cannot help feeling that at times there was something missing. The sections that deal with Frederick's upbringing and home life are compelling, but as soon as Mitford dives into Frederick's battles (which were so numerous they almost defined his later life!) the discussion becomes very dense and hard to follow. While I loved hearing abour Voltaire's visit to Potsdam, and the interaction between the two luminaries, I felt that this short time was dwelt upon for a bit too long, perhaps to the detriment of other events in Frederick's life. The book is very sympathetic to Frederick William I (Frederick's father), who I feel is one of history's least likable characters. When it gets to Frederick's later life (after the Seven Years' War), the coverage becomes sparse. However, because at times it is so readable, I recommend this book to those who have little to no knowledge of Frederick and his times.

Rating:
Summary: confusing, not enough on details--especially his battles
Review: Enjoyable, detailed, lively and fun - as ever, Nancy Mitford is a pleasure to read. Fred becomes a person, not just a long-dead king

Rating:
Summary: Well rounded picture of Fredrick the Great
Review: I am a picture person and this book is jam packed with many color plates depicting various aspects of Freddie and his environment. One plat shows a map of Frederick's battles. For collectors there is a picture of A gilded snuff-box set with diamonds with a miniature of the King. To know some one you must know their background and environment. Then when you read about their actions you get a feel for the reasons behind these actions. What was going on the world around Freddy that help mold him?

In this book Nancy Mittford takes the blur of many wars and focuses them through the eyes of a single great leader.

This book is divided into twenty to chapters usually separated by wars, a section on resources, and an extensive index.

Rating:
Summary: Well rounded picture of Fredrick the Great
Review: I am a picture person and this book is jam packed with many color plates depicting various aspects of Freddie and his environment. One plat shows a map of Frederick's battles. For collectors there is a picture of A gilded snuff-box set with diamonds with a miniature of the King. To know some one you must know their background and environment. Then when you read about their actions you get a feel for the reasons behind these actions. What was going on the world around Freddy that help mold him?

In this book Nancy Mittford takes the blur of many wars and focuses them through the eyes of a single great leader.

This book is divided into twenty to chapters usually separated by wars, a section on resources, and an extensive index.

Rating:
Summary: Anecdotal Pleasure
Review: I am well willing to believe that this may not be the most complete or scholarly approach to Frederick the Great. However, I don't think that it ever positions itself to be. Mitford's voice is laconic and dry, but still brims over with affection for history and the people in it. Certainly it's the first history book in a long time that's made me laugh out loud several times.

Frederick the Great was a monarch that I knew very little about from a period of which I had only vague knowledge. I shut the book feeling that I had gained a good high level understanding as well as a real desire to read further on the period.

Rating:
Summary: Mitford's Frederick the Great
Review: Mitford's treatment of Frederick the Great is good for those readers who have little to no background on his life and times, since it is a very fluid read and is loaded with humorous anecdotes. It also is relatively non-partisan in its treatment of the subject, although Mitford clearly admires Frederick. Nevertheless the book tends to be very light on important details surrounding Frederick's campaigns, and not nearly as good an introductory piece to Frederick's life as Asprey's >The Magnificent Enigma<. Serious Frederick fans can bypass this book altogether.

Rating:
Summary: frederick the great
Review: This book is, in my opinion, the essential starting point for anyone interested in the life of Frederick the Great and his times. More of an in depth personal and at times extremely heartrending portrayal of a complex, to say the least, and enigmatic figure. At the end of this study, it is as though you have gotten to know and then, tragically, lost a great friend. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in history.