Hervé Hasquin

Elegantly written in a very litterary French, Hasquin's book combines socio-economical and demographic data with "l'histoire des idées" and the political aspirations of the main actors. The often neglected intra-Scandinavian relations constitute a welcome addition to the well-known story of the Louis XIV-wars, as an addition to their economical importance (ship building, control over the Baltic with it's grain provisions).

Hasquin takes a radical anti-Ludovician point of view, contrasting the "liberties" of the Dutch Republic with the belliciose atrocities commited by French armies under the Duke of Luxembourg in Holland, in the Spanish Netherlands (the bombing of Brussels in 1695, Oudenarde in 1684) and by the great general Turenne in the Palts. Less favorable to the Sun King than John Lynn, but as refreshing to read.… (mer)