History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 16

After a cascade of battlefield successes that earned him the reputation of an invincible monarch, Frederick the Great stands at the summit of his early reign. The opening of this volume surveys the awe and dread he inspired across Europe—Voltaire’s tally of five victories, Austrian dread, and English suspicion—while the king basks in a rare decade of external peace. It paints a portrait of a ruler who, weary of war, vows to let even a cat go unchallenged, yet cannot escape the restless ambitions of his realm.

The narrative turns to the so‑called Halcyon Period, beginning with the 1745 Christmas truce in Dresden, and follows Frederick’s efforts to consolidate power, reform the administration, and cultivate the arts amidst a seemingly tranquil Europe. Through careful selection of contemporary sources, the author offers a concise yet vivid picture of the monarch’s domestic policies, his personal habits, and the subtle signs that the peace was fragile. Listeners will gain insight into the delicate balance between triumph and looming conflict that defined the middle years of Frederick’s rule.