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Frederick the Great
The military genius of his age, Frederick the Great has always aroused extreme opinions. Some saw him as the greatest man who has ever lived, while others have accused him of creating the Prussio ultra-nationalism which culminated in Hitler. But this paternalistic ruler, who once said he wanted nothign more than to be remembered as Le Rois des greux, the king of the beggars, was also a polymath whose artistic and intellectual abilities amazed 18th-century Europe. David Fraser's biography presents a rounded portrait of this extraordinary man.
702 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
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580 people want to read
About the author
David Fraser
90 books13 followersGeneral Sir David William Fraser was educated at Eton and Christ Church college in the University of Oxford. He left school to enlist at earliest opportunity after the Second World War begun, and joined the Grenadier Guards in 1940, serving for much of the Second World War with the Guards Armoured Division, later in North West Europe, ending the war in the rank of Major. He was intimately involved afterwards in the crises in Suez, and Cyprus, and saw service in the Malaya emergency.
He was also a prolific author, publishing over 20 books mostly focused on the history of the Second World War.
There is more than one David Fraser on Goodreads
He was also a prolific author, publishing over 20 books mostly focused on the history of the Second World War.
There is more than one David Fraser on Goodreads
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 31, 2013
Once again, David Fraser, author of Knight's Cross: A Life of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel has produced another masterful biography. This beautifully told story of Frederick the Great is an outstanding account of a great military leader. You can certainly feel that Fraser has a love for this subject, even when Frederick has committed a terrible blunder the author tends to put the best light on the event as possible. This is one of the best biographies I have read on Frederick the Great and superior to most that have been available to date. In over 700 pages the author tells the story of Frederick, his conflict with his father, his love for the arts, his role as a military commander, as a King, a diplomat, as the creator of the great Prussian Army.
The author's accounts of the battles fought by Frederick are excellent and you can understand why Fraser has such a deep respect for this man. There are many accounts of Frederick leading his troops in the thick of the fighting. Losing horses under him, his aids and Generals being killed alongside him, bullet holes through his clothing. This is a commander who led from the front. Fraser also shows the many mistakes made by Frederick which led to some of the bloodiest and costliest battles in Europe during this period. After reading of some of these battles you wonder why his men followed him into others, but they did and that is what stands out about this man. He actually cared for his troops, his people and his country.
This is a great story and covers all aspects of Frederick. I believe that the maps could have been a bit more detailed but they were good enough to follow the narrative. In all 18 maps were supplied and they assisted the reader in following the battles and movements of Frederick and his armies. The story flowed along smoothly and it was a joy to read, time slipped by effortlessly as Fraser helped you look into the man that was 'Frederick the Great'. I have no hesitation in recommending this book to anyone who enjoys a great history book. Well done to the author.
The author's accounts of the battles fought by Frederick are excellent and you can understand why Fraser has such a deep respect for this man. There are many accounts of Frederick leading his troops in the thick of the fighting. Losing horses under him, his aids and Generals being killed alongside him, bullet holes through his clothing. This is a commander who led from the front. Fraser also shows the many mistakes made by Frederick which led to some of the bloodiest and costliest battles in Europe during this period. After reading of some of these battles you wonder why his men followed him into others, but they did and that is what stands out about this man. He actually cared for his troops, his people and his country.
This is a great story and covers all aspects of Frederick. I believe that the maps could have been a bit more detailed but they were good enough to follow the narrative. In all 18 maps were supplied and they assisted the reader in following the battles and movements of Frederick and his armies. The story flowed along smoothly and it was a joy to read, time slipped by effortlessly as Fraser helped you look into the man that was 'Frederick the Great'. I have no hesitation in recommending this book to anyone who enjoys a great history book. Well done to the author.
March 8, 2016
Frederick II (the great) was the son of Frederick-William I and the Princess Sophia-Dorothea, daughter of George I of Great Britain, and was born in 1712. He was granted by his parents an excellent education. When his father died Frederick ascended into Prussian kingship in 1740.
His goal was to unify the German speaking people of Europe. However, some German speaking people remained vassals of other European countries. To resolve this, he first tried to conquer Silesia. Silesia was a material rich region shared by mostly German and Polish ethnicities. However, it was under control of a powerful country of the time- Austria. He first orchestrated a victory at Mollwitz in 1741 seizing Silesia form Austria. In 1745 Austria attempted to take back Silesia, in what is known as, the Second Silesian War. At the battle of Kesselsdorf, the Prussians defeated the Austrian army forcing Austria to recognize their loss.
After 11 years of peace, Prussia’s status among Europe accelerated do to education reform and military training improvements. As a result, Prussia’s enemy Austria formed an alliance with Russia and France and tried once again to take Silesia from Frederick. However, Frederick found an unlikely ally in England who was concurrently battling France in North America. As of 1762 the combined Russian/Austrian forces were defeating the Prussians when suddenly Russia withdrew. This odd event turned the tide to Frederick’s advantage. Consequently, Prussia was once again was recognized as the master of Silesia at the Treaty of Hubertusburg. Interestingly this war goes by three different names: the Third Silesian War, the Seven Years War and the French American War.
In 1772, he obtained a portion of Poland. At his death in 1786, Prussia and Germany had more than doubled in size.
The author devotes the end of his book to why Frederick should not be entitled to the moniker “Great.” I will list some reasons why he has earned that title. He built the Berlin State Opera House as well as other sensational architecture. He turned the Berlin Academy into the most influential scientific intuitions in the world. He created grain storage facilities which were used to feed the poor when necessary. I think however that what he is most celebrated for is his practice of religious tolerance. He accepted dispelled Jesuits and provided them with teaching jobs in Silesia and Warmia. He also accepted Jewish bankers and merchants as well as expelled Huguenots from France.
His goal was to unify the German speaking people of Europe. However, some German speaking people remained vassals of other European countries. To resolve this, he first tried to conquer Silesia. Silesia was a material rich region shared by mostly German and Polish ethnicities. However, it was under control of a powerful country of the time- Austria. He first orchestrated a victory at Mollwitz in 1741 seizing Silesia form Austria. In 1745 Austria attempted to take back Silesia, in what is known as, the Second Silesian War. At the battle of Kesselsdorf, the Prussians defeated the Austrian army forcing Austria to recognize their loss.
After 11 years of peace, Prussia’s status among Europe accelerated do to education reform and military training improvements. As a result, Prussia’s enemy Austria formed an alliance with Russia and France and tried once again to take Silesia from Frederick. However, Frederick found an unlikely ally in England who was concurrently battling France in North America. As of 1762 the combined Russian/Austrian forces were defeating the Prussians when suddenly Russia withdrew. This odd event turned the tide to Frederick’s advantage. Consequently, Prussia was once again was recognized as the master of Silesia at the Treaty of Hubertusburg. Interestingly this war goes by three different names: the Third Silesian War, the Seven Years War and the French American War.
In 1772, he obtained a portion of Poland. At his death in 1786, Prussia and Germany had more than doubled in size.
The author devotes the end of his book to why Frederick should not be entitled to the moniker “Great.” I will list some reasons why he has earned that title. He built the Berlin State Opera House as well as other sensational architecture. He turned the Berlin Academy into the most influential scientific intuitions in the world. He created grain storage facilities which were used to feed the poor when necessary. I think however that what he is most celebrated for is his practice of religious tolerance. He accepted dispelled Jesuits and provided them with teaching jobs in Silesia and Warmia. He also accepted Jewish bankers and merchants as well as expelled Huguenots from France.
August 17, 2019
Not quite a full 5 but a worthy effort. Good on strategy & on political machinations but oddly underpowered on describing the actual battles. Very good on showing what a mass of contradictions his subject is.
July 7, 2017
Really more like 4 1/2 stars, but I liked it well enough to be generous. The author is a little too defensive of the subject sometimes, and there's very much more military history to it than I like. Nonetheless, it was very readable and gave a clear picture of the man and his accomplishments.
Unfortunately, the Kindle version is riddled with typos of the OCR kind: "he" for "be", and vice versa, "hut" for "but", "zo,000" for "20,000".
Unfortunately, the Kindle version is riddled with typos of the OCR kind: "he" for "be", and vice versa, "hut" for "but", "zo,000" for "20,000".
December 20, 2018
Frederick the Great transformed Germany and hence Europe during his reign, 1740-1786. When he assumed the throne, Prussia was a regional power with little influence in Germany. After a reign of over forty years, and through several wars, he greatly weakened the power of Austria in Germany, transformed Prussia into a significant continental power, significantly added to the territorial holdings of his kingdom, and set the stage (although he did not foresee it) for German unification through conquest by Prussia.
Fraser paints Frederick as an enlightened ruler who was genuinely interested in the latest science and ideas. Frederick was a committed autocrat, yet he was, according to Fraser, the most tolerant of all his contemporary monarchs. He accepted greater degrees of dissent in the press and was more open on questions of religion, for example.
Most of the book focuses on military history, which should not be surprising considering that Frederick was considered one of the great captains of history and Fraser was a British general himself. This is not a a hagiography.Frederick made plenty of strategic and tactical mistakes. Yet, he admitted his mistakes and own failings and rarely searched for scapegoats.
Fraser paints Frederick as an enlightened ruler who was genuinely interested in the latest science and ideas. Frederick was a committed autocrat, yet he was, according to Fraser, the most tolerant of all his contemporary monarchs. He accepted greater degrees of dissent in the press and was more open on questions of religion, for example.
Most of the book focuses on military history, which should not be surprising considering that Frederick was considered one of the great captains of history and Fraser was a British general himself. This is not a a hagiography.Frederick made plenty of strategic and tactical mistakes. Yet, he admitted his mistakes and own failings and rarely searched for scapegoats.
March 7, 2020
A well researched and well written account of one of history's great leaders. The book is lengthy and covers all facets of Frederick's life.
Fraser focuses, in particular, on Frederick's central role in European diplomacy as well as on various issues of succession. I found the chapters covering Frederick's military campaigns and battles to be enjoyable but lacking the type of detail and military analysis I was hoping for.
I am not sure if there is a better account out there that would have addressed my craving for more military focus but regardless this was a good book and one best for those interested in 18th century diplomacy.
Fraser focuses, in particular, on Frederick's central role in European diplomacy as well as on various issues of succession. I found the chapters covering Frederick's military campaigns and battles to be enjoyable but lacking the type of detail and military analysis I was hoping for.
I am not sure if there is a better account out there that would have addressed my craving for more military focus but regardless this was a good book and one best for those interested in 18th century diplomacy.
January 7, 2025
The writing can sometime gets boring and at the very start it was very boring but it does get better and i really enjoy all the little detail that Fraser gives its fun to know more little detail of frederick and others.
The book it self is ok the writing could be more exciting.
I can tell that Fraser tried to give the most little bias opinions. But i wish he gave more detail to the katte execution as it effected frederick a lot and not as short as it was written (it was like 3 pages)
The book it self is ok the writing could be more exciting.
I can tell that Fraser tried to give the most little bias opinions. But i wish he gave more detail to the katte execution as it effected frederick a lot and not as short as it was written (it was like 3 pages)
January 22, 2022
I believe that the book was extremely well written and informative, my only issue I take with the work itself is the author's view that Frederick II is not worthy of the title "the Great" as I believe his accomplishments validate this moniker, regardless the book itself was good in all other regards.
July 19, 2024
Competent narrative biography for a general readership that avoids anything but superficial analysis, even of military strategy and tactics, in favour of a straightforward, if overly favourable, relating of the life of Frederick II of Prussia, but one in which the character of Frederick and the histotical age in which he lived and fought are well captured.
July 25, 2018
Fantastic book.
November 14, 2022
Very worth the time. It explaines a lot in the world today.
January 23, 2018
Безумовно цікава біографія великого короля Прусії. У дитинстві та юності його захоплення мистецтвом суворим батьком не підтримувалося. Тому він став великим полководцем і переміг у битвах та війнах, у яких, інколи, становище його війська було безнадійним.
June 25, 2017
This is my first book on Frederick and my rating is subject to change if I read any other books on him. I thought the book was alright. A lot was devoted to Frederick as a military genius as well as to him as a person and a monarch. There is a good sense of balance.
My main criticism is the lack of full names for several of the people, some major, given either in the text or the index. For example, I would read about some person and would be interested in reading a bit more on him or her on the internet. Only the last name would be given so I would have to search typing in the surname or title and Frederick or the name and Seven Years War. Often I would get multiple possibilities and then have to investigate each one to make sure it was the one I was looking for. It was like an investigation.
A major annoyance is that too much emphasis was placed going over the multiple family and monarchial connections, how they were interrelated and the political ramifications of the relationships. I found it highly confusing. This princess was the daughter of this queen, who is the sister of this king who is married to this other queen, etc.
An irritant is the liberal use of French in the book. I, for one, don't know French and initially when I would see a French expression I would have it translated. However there are so many phrases and every now and then entire sentences would be written in French that I stopped translating them and just ignored them.
My main criticism is the lack of full names for several of the people, some major, given either in the text or the index. For example, I would read about some person and would be interested in reading a bit more on him or her on the internet. Only the last name would be given so I would have to search typing in the surname or title and Frederick or the name and Seven Years War. Often I would get multiple possibilities and then have to investigate each one to make sure it was the one I was looking for. It was like an investigation.
A major annoyance is that too much emphasis was placed going over the multiple family and monarchial connections, how they were interrelated and the political ramifications of the relationships. I found it highly confusing. This princess was the daughter of this queen, who is the sister of this king who is married to this other queen, etc.
An irritant is the liberal use of French in the book. I, for one, don't know French and initially when I would see a French expression I would have it translated. However there are so many phrases and every now and then entire sentences would be written in French that I stopped translating them and just ignored them.
June 2, 2009
Pretty great book about a pretty amazing guy. I enjoyed the dry prose.
When someone speaks in hyperbole about someone you know there really isn’t that much there, hence: the volume.
He exchanged notes with Voltaire; wrote some great music for the flute; reformed the idea of common law; backed some truly astounding art work; and was smart in the ways of war.
And this from a guy who was tossed in a dungeon by his father as a young man for his smart mouth...and found it a great occasion to think. In addition he composed the Anti-Machiavel in response to “The Prince”.
When someone speaks in hyperbole about someone you know there really isn’t that much there, hence: the volume.
He exchanged notes with Voltaire; wrote some great music for the flute; reformed the idea of common law; backed some truly astounding art work; and was smart in the ways of war.
And this from a guy who was tossed in a dungeon by his father as a young man for his smart mouth...and found it a great occasion to think. In addition he composed the Anti-Machiavel in response to “The Prince”.
May 3, 2009
A too-long review of Der Grosse's life which provides more detail than anyone probably cares about in a very dry manner. While you learn of his triumphs and military innovations, the book also seems to unconsciously make the case for tarnishing his military legacy as you read about his repeated decisions to ignore obviously disadvantageous battlefield conditions and waste his men in disastrous, doomed-from-the-onset actions. A tough guy, and book, to like.
October 10, 2015
It is a very interesting book about and interesting figure that played an important role in European history. The book also delves into Prussian history, and helps explain the early sentiment of fascism laid down by Fredrick's father Fredrick I. It's a bit dated and the cultural references can by the author are very obscure; however, it is a very well written, and even well paced book.
June 30, 2013
I read parts of this book along with Nancy Mitford title of the same name. Both follow the same basic chronology, although Fraser provides more detail especially regarding specific battles of the Seven Years war. His maps and charts are helpful. He writes with a strong military expertise.
June 26, 2013
Didn't make it through. The author uses a number of French phrases unexplained. I don't read or speak French, so there were a number of holes I had to gloss over.
October 29, 2015
Fraser has the unfortunate habit of continually trying to justify the "Greatness" of his subject against the attacks of nameless, silent opponents.
April 1, 2017
A swing, and a miss.
Fraser makes a huge effort to write a comprehensive bio of the Prussian Monarch, but, at least in the e-book, the faults are so glaring that the end product is half-baked. Three suggestions for the next edition:
-MAPS! Timelines would be useful. I had to check Wikipedia for much of these basics.
-ENGLISH! Not everyone is fortunate enough to read French and German. The next edition should have the foreign quotes in footnotes. It's strange how Frasier translates some parts of passages, but leaves others in their original language.
-EDIT! "But" comes out as "hut.". Sentence fragments and strange grammar pepper the book.
With all these basic flaws in in mind, I learned tons in this book, as I have Prussian ancestors. It's too bad the editors did such a disservice. I hope to learn more about Frederick through other authors.
Fraser makes a huge effort to write a comprehensive bio of the Prussian Monarch, but, at least in the e-book, the faults are so glaring that the end product is half-baked. Three suggestions for the next edition:
-MAPS! Timelines would be useful. I had to check Wikipedia for much of these basics.
-ENGLISH! Not everyone is fortunate enough to read French and German. The next edition should have the foreign quotes in footnotes. It's strange how Frasier translates some parts of passages, but leaves others in their original language.
-EDIT! "But" comes out as "hut.". Sentence fragments and strange grammar pepper the book.
With all these basic flaws in in mind, I learned tons in this book, as I have Prussian ancestors. It's too bad the editors did such a disservice. I hope to learn more about Frederick through other authors.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews