Hamish Scott

This is straight-up diplomatic history but surprisingly readable, as Scott goes to some lengths to put the rise of Prussia and Russia as great powers into systemic context. What's particularly useful about this study is that Scott doesn't stint on examining the affairs of the lesser powers in the orbit of Vienna, Berlin, and St. Petersburg, or on examining the mechanics of how diplomatic business got done.

Scott ultimately comes to the conclusion that the Russia of Catherine the Great should be regarded as the dominant power of the period, considering that it was only the skill of Frederick the Great that allowed Prussia to box above its weight and that Britain and France allowed themselves to fall by the wayside as players, due either to disinterest or incompetence.… (mer)