2083 Frederick the Great: The Magnificent Enigma, by Robert B. Asprey (read 4 Jun 1987) The subject was born 24 Jan 1712, succeeded to the throne of Prussia on his father's death in 1740, and died 17 Aug 1786. One of the reasons I read this biography--I also read one of him in May of 1972 (by Ludwig Reimers)--is that the author grew up in Sioux City, Iowa. This book is a good work, though not heavy on analysis. Its descriptions of Frederick's great battles are good: Mollwitz, 10 Apr 1741; Chotusitz, 17 May 1742; Hohenfriedberg. 4 Jun 1745; Soor, 30 Set 1745; Lobositz. 1 Oct 1756; Prague, May 1757; Kolin, 18 Jun 1757; Rossbach, 5 Nov 1757; Louthen, 5 Dec 1757; Zorndorf, 25 1758; Hochkirch, 14 Oct 1758; Kumersdorf, 12 Aug 1759; Liegnitz, 15 Aug 1760; and Torgau, 3 Nov 1760. All except Kolin, Hochkirch, and Kumersdorf were victories. ( )