Published in 1733 this is currently the oldest book in my library.

It is an interesting and captivating biography of Charles XII, King of Sweden. This line from the book is a good representation of his character: "[He] knew no other pleasure, but that of making Europe tremble".

The book starts with a brief introduction of Charles's parents and childhood then launches into a riveting historical record with Charles's coronation and the subsequent invasion of the Swedish Empire by an triple alliance of Peter I of Russia, Frederick IV of Denmark–Norway and Augustus II of Saxony-Poland-Lithuania who perceived Charles as weak and easy pickings. When then follow Charles's sweeping victories as he dispatches all comers but over extends himself then flees to Turkey under the protection of the Ottoman Empire who then betray him in favour of Tsar Peter I. The book then finishes up with Charles XII's death and the immediate outcomes of such (it is worth noting the Great Northern War continued 3 more years after his death).

Really interesting book written close to the events which took place; events covered in the book finish in 1708 and the book was first published in 1731.

One thing to be aware of though - if you get your hands on an original mid 1700s copy (such as this 1733 C Davis edition), or a facsimile of such, the book was published using the 'long s' letter which makes reading it rather unique with modern eyes. ( )