THE HISTORY OF CHARLES XII, KING OF SWEDEN

London: Printed for Alexander Lyon, 1732. Second Edition, Corrected. 200 x 122 mm. (8 x 4 3/4"). ix, 371, [1] pp.
Pleasing scarlet morocco, gilt, by Riviere (stamp-signed on verso of front free endpaper), covers with double fillet border, raised bands, spine compartments with ornate fleuron centerpiece and curling cornerpieces with palmettes, gilt lettering, turn-ins with garland roll, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. With engraved frontispiece portrait of the king and folding map of Sweden. ◆A vague hint of soiling to covers, perhaps a hint of external wear, but quite a fine copy--EXCEPTIONALLY CLEAN, BRIGHT, AND FRESH INTERNALLY.

Originally published in French in 1731, and appearing here in the same year as the initial printing in English, this is Voltaire's first major work of history, a study of the brilliant warrior king whose folly was to concentrate on conquering enemies rather than governing well. The path chosen by Charles XII of Sweden (1682-1718) is contrasted here unfavorably with that of Peter the Great, Czar of Russia--no military genius, but a benevolent ruler who brought his country into the Age of Enlightenment. The work was meticulously researched, Voltaire having access to original documents relating to the military campaigns and to the French diplomats who had dealt extensively with both Charles and Peter. In the preface, Voltaire notes, "any King that reads the story of Charles XII will be quickly cured of the folly of being a conqueror." Charles XII had aspired to be a modern Alexander the Great, and Voltaire credits him with military genius, but deplores his lack of interest in facilitating progress in his own country. In the end, Charles' appetite for conquest cost him his life and robbed Sweden of its standing as a great power. Our copy was attractively bound by Riviere, a preeminent English workshop for more than a century, and although Britannica praises the work as "a carefully documented historical narrative that reads like a novel," our volume has obviously seen very little use..