Pleasure and Ambition: The Life, Loves and Wars of Augustus the Strong [Hardcover]

Augustus the Strong of Saxony's life was consumed by two addictions: the relentless pursuit of power and the no less relentless pursuit of pleasure. From his accession as Elector of Saxony in 1694 he pursued political power and glory by fighting the Ottoman Turks, purchasing the Polish throne and warring against Sweden. By seeking to attach parts of the Ottoman, Swedish and Habsburg domains to his Saxon realm Augustus' aim was eventually to supplant the Habsburg Holy Roman Emperors. But his hedonistic lifestyle continually distracted him and when finally defeated in 1707, he found himself back in Saxony fornicating and plotting revenge.

This biography, based on primary German sources, tells the story of his remarkable life.

Introduction
'A Prince of Great Hopes': Trials of a Second Son 1670-1694
1. 'Nothing other than a sword': A Portrait of Augustus 1670-91
2. 'This marriage will not end well': John George IV, Eleonore and 'the Family' 1692
3. 'To engage the Elector': England and Saxony 1692-93
4. 'Carrying my cloak on both shoulders': Stepney in Saxony 1693
5. 'So many extraordinary changes': Stepney in Saxony 1694
6. 'Je payeray la folie bien cher': The deaths of Billa and John George 1694
'A Restless Ambitious Spirit': His Electoral Highness 1694-1696
7. 'To the ruin of the house': Politics and poison 1694
8. 'So much to do': Personal affairs 1694
9. 'Setting his government upon the hinges': State affairs 1694
10. 'Upon another scent': Augustus and the command in Hungary 1695
11. 'At last got out of their nests': Preparing for Hungary 1695
12. 'Able to do nothing': Commander in Hungary 1695-96
'My Greatest Ambition is Glory': King's Ransom 1697-1702
13. 'Whoever bids most': Purchasing the Polish crown 1697
14. 'The intestine broils of the kingdoml£!