The king of Prussia from 1740 to 1786; Frederick the Great ranks among eighteenth-century Europe's most enlightened rulers. In addition to abolishing serfdom in his domains and promoting religious tolerance; he was an ardent patron of the arts and an accomplished musician. "Diplomacy without arms;" he observed; "is like music without instruments." Frederick's expertise at military matters is reflected in his successful defense of his territory during the Seven Years' War; in which he fought all the great powers of Europe. His brilliant theories on strategy; tactics; and discipline are all explained in this vital text."War is not an affair of chance;" Frederick asserted; adding that "a great deal of knowledge; study; and meditation is necessary to conduct it well." In this book; he presents the fundamentals of warfare; discussing such timeless considerations as leadership qualities; the value of surprise; and ways to conquer an enemy who possesses superior forces. The soundness of his advice was endorsed by Napoleon himself; who once advised; "Read and re-read the campaigns of Alexander; Hannibal; Caesar . . . and Frederick. This is the only way to become a great captain and to master the secrets of the art of war."
#758057 in Books 1997-07-07 1997-07-07Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x .84 x 5.40l; 1.02 #File Name: 0486297020448 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Wretched version.By Thomas J. FrancisI have the Kindle version. I have encountered dozens of words that do not exist or make no sense in the text. It appears that this is the result of a horrible job scanning the text into the Kindle format. It makes for unpleasant reading. I am 18% in and thinking of giving up.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A Short History of the Civil WarBy Patricia A. PyleMy husband is a Civil War buff and he enjoyed the book.He would recommend it to others who are interested in the Civil War.Pat PyleMesa; AZ6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. History as PassionBy SimkoDear Reader; My father got me this book when I was 17. I barely understood at the time what a heretical book it was; but I'll say this; it taught me how to think. More than being a "Unionist'; Pratt is a humanist; he views the war as a tragedy; filled with genius; grandeur and misery; and brought to a place of potential transcendence by an adherence to republican principles by a man who was almost without ideology; Abraham Lincoln. He revisits the basic why? Because the South thought the North would not fight; or if it did; it would be a joke. The North was shocked not that so many states seceded; but that any of them did. He allows the story to unfold; the currents take you on the terrifying ride that time was. His 'takes' on the different personalities are years ahead of their time. His only miss is the nasty Sheridan; who; gutsy commander that he could be; padded his portfolio shamelessly; and I'm sure Pratt was working from his memoirs. Stone's River does stand as written. He was the first author to apply 20th Century critical mind to these 'holy' figures. I remember my father shaking his head after I'd regaled him with a few choice bits. "It's just that when I was a kid; we were taught to look at those men on a pedestal; figures to hold up as models that were above us." I then and there decided to attain those places in my own quiet way. Pratt shows you what attitudes and philosophies worked; and why. It's for us to apply those lessons to our own time. Unionist? His praise of the Southern soldier is all the more powerful for beingtersely put. For the leaders who propelled them into conflict he doesn't have much use. But Northern politicians often fare no better. He enters detail that it would take historians decades to emphasize; the genius of Adams; the US Ambassador to England; The Knights of the Golden Circle.... It hurts him that the old "infinite numbers and material" reason for Northern victory is substituted for so many examples of genius; spirit and gutsy fighting that produced victories that crowded the South away from its granaries; Kentucky and Tennessee and the machinations of the English and French Empires. Fire won the day; not some amoebic mass that smothered the REAL men. He corrects the false population tables that are still used. Lincoln's progressive handing over of power as the war aims were met is given it's proper attention. If you like this book; you MUST read his history of the Consular period of Napoleonic France; "The Empire and the Glory." Prepare to view the English reaction to a revolutionary France stabilized in a not-so-flattering light.
