In this first biography in English for fifty years, Derek McKay avoids the limitation of seeing Frederick William primarily as precursor of the 'Enlightened' Frederick the Great. Instead, he roots him firmly in his own time, a dynastic, protestant ruler like many another in Germany, but gifted with the toughness and opportunism to overcome the hostility of his local nobilities and of the surrounding great powers.
Autorentext
Derek McKay is formerly of the London School of Economics.
Inhalt
Contents v Acknowledgements Chronology
Chapter 1 The inheritance of the Great Elector
Chapter 2 The beggarly elector, 1640-1648
Chapter 3 Frederick William's attempt to establish his authority
Chapter r 4 A European prince, 1648-1660
Chapter 5 Brandenburg-Prussian society under the Great Elector
Chapter 6 The mature ruler, 1660-1679
Chapter 7 Fiscal and military power
Chapter 8 'The shrewdest fox in the Empire', 1660-1679
Chapter 9 The final years, 1679-1688
Chapter 10 The Great Elector
Maps Family Tree Further Reading Index