The Army of Frederick the Great

359 pp. "The Prussian military machine is analyzed in detail, from top to bottom, from the mentality of the Junkers who led it to the way the men were clothed. The tactics, the recruitment, the finances of the military state are laid bare. This is much more than a technical study, as we see how these regiments stood up to the tests of the bloody battles of the Seven Years War and the long years of virtual imprisonment in barracks. The image of a formidable army forged by fear rather than leadership proves to be only partly true, but the tribulations of serving a hard taskmaster liked Frederick are well described by soldiers and observers of all ranks. The classic study of one of history's most famous armies has been heavily revised and updated. Over twenty more years of research and consideration helps tell us why this army rose to fame at Rossbach and Leuthen, but what happened to it. The accounts of its foes describe its strengths and weaknesses. Now we can see the rise of the cavalry from ridiculous to the superb, the once invincible infantry bleed white, and the light forces change from being negligible to the terror of their enemies. A great army is made flesh and blood."