From the award-winning author of The Pursuit of Glory and Frederick the Great, an intense biography of the charismatic ruler of Poland and Saxony in the 18th century – and his disastrous reign.

Winner of the Elizabeth Longford Prize for Historical Biography 2025 and shortlisted for the Apollo Book of the Year 2025.

"It's been a fantastic year for history, but Augustus the Strong ranks among the best works! I can't recommend it enough" - Simon Sebag-Montefiore.

"The wonderful story of one of the worst monarchs in European history, told with incredible humor and scholarly approach by an exceptionally talented historian. If you have even the slightest interest in Germans, Poles, porcelain, jewelry, the Enlightenment, military disasters, or the pleasures of fox tossing, then this is the book for you" - Dominic Sandbrook.

Augustus is one of the great "what if" stories of the 18th century. He could have transformed the fate of two major regions into the foundation of a strong European state – a bulwark against the Russians and a barrier to Prussian expansion. Unfortunately, he missed every opportunity and made every wrong decision. Until his death, Poland suffered fatal damage and would disappear as an independent state until the 20th century.

Tim Blanning's highly entertaining and original new book is a study of governance failure, showing how a leader can shape history both through incompetence and intelligence. Augustus's posthumous nickname "The Strong" referred not to any political success but to his legendary physical strength and sexual prowess.

However, he was also one of the era's greatest creative artists, combining impressive energy, great taste, and seemingly endless resources to create the unparalleled Dresden, the baroque jewel of jewels. Augustus the Strong brilliantly highlights this era of luxury and excess, extravagance, and madness.

Pages: 432, Year of Publication: 0203, Dimensions: 13x13cm