
The opening pages plunge listeners into the tangled web of early‑18th‑century European politics, where Prussian princes, English envoys, and a restless royal family wrestle with diplomatic deadlocks and personal ambitions. A sudden English mission, a covert journey to Dresden, and a fraught family confrontation reveal the precarious balance between duty and desire, while the looming “Camp of Muhlberg” hints at a grand military spectacle about to reshape alliances.
Against this backdrop, the narrative follows the fragile health of Queen Sophie, the emotional turmoil of Friedrich Wilhelm, and the secretive maneuvers of the enigmatic Dr. Villa in London. Through vivid letters, whispered conspiracies, and vivid court scenes, the story captures the human side of power—sibling rivalry, hidden hopes, and the ever‑present threat of illness—offering a richly textured portrait of a pivotal moment in Prussian history.
Language
en
Duration
~4 hours (277K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by D.R. Thompson and David Widger
Release date
2008-06-16
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1795–1881
A powerful Scottish essayist, historian, and social critic, he became one of the most influential Victorian writers. Best known for vivid, forceful books like Sartor Resartus and The French Revolution, he wrote with urgency about history, work, leadership, and the crises of modern life.
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