History of Friedrich II of Prussia (All 21 Volumes) (ePub)

Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881) was a Scottish historian, satirical writer, essayist, translator, philosopher, mathematician, and teacher. Considered one of the most important social commentators of his time, Carlyle's influence during the 19th century was undeniable, with his works addressing the complexities of the modern condition with a penetrating and often critical eye. His style, characterized by a dramatic and intense prose, was aimed to provoke his readers into considering moral and societal introspections. Carlyle's most ambitious historical work is 'History of Friedrich II of Prussia', commonly known as 'Frederick the Great'. This meticulous biography spans 21 volumes and remains a monumental contribution to historical scholarship on European monarchs and military history. The work provides an exhaustive account of King Frederick II's reign and his impact on the shaping of the modern state, reflecting Carlyle's deep engagement with issues of leadership and governance. Carlyle approached the genre of biography with a deep moralistic and individualistic perspective, emphasizing the role of great men in history, a concept he further expounded in his famous lectures 'On Heroes, Hero-Worship, and the Heroic in History.' His narrative history reveals a complex interplay of narrative, interpretation, and reflection, displaying Carlyle's own intellectual struggles with the materiality of history and its moral implications, an endeavour that continues to resonate in scholarly discourse.