Part 3, The Great Northern War, Chapters 22-27 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 22, "Mistress of the North," describes the picturesque Baltic and Sweden, overextended at the peak of its power, ruling Finland, Karelia, Estonia, Ingria, Livonia, Western Pomerania, and ports near Denmark. Centuries earlier, Sweden and Russia battle over territories that Peter considers his. An anti-Swedish Livonian, Patkul, stirs Augustus and Peter to action against the newly-crowned Charles XII. Peter is in Voronezh making a show of power to speed a treaty with the Turks when Baltic fighting starts. Truce in hand, he sets out to reclaim Karelia and Ingria.

Chapter 23, "Let the Cannon Decide," gives background on Europe's wars of the 17th century, which steadily grow in scope and deadliness but still obey rules such as seasonal campaigning. Sieges are preferred over open-field battle and usually end in honorable surrender...