I have not yet read Frederick the Great, but I have read Miss Mitford's The Sun King, and all of her fiction, essays and published letters. I think she is a wonderfully witty and evocative writer, which comes across in her non-fiction. This resulted in criticism of her biographies, with accusations that she lacked the academic skills to take on such important subjects. So if you are after a scholarly tome on Frederick the Great, this book will probably not be for you. But if you want an enjoyable, informative trip to Prussia during the reign on Frederick the Great, this book could be just perfect.