In this first biography in English for fifty years, Derek McKay avoids the limitation of seeing Frederick William primarily as precursor of the 'Enlightened' Frederick the Great. Instead, he roots him firmly in his own time, a dynastic, protestant ruler like many another in Germany, but gifted with the toughness and opportunism to overcome the hostility of his local nobilities and of the surrounding great powers.

Establishes Frederick William as an important figure in his own right, rather than as a precursor of the 'Enlightened' Frederick the Great.

As latest book in the popularly priced, best selling, Profiles in Power series, this long-awaited biography, the first in English for 50 years, avoids the limitation of seeing Frederick William primarily as precursor of the 'Enlightened' Frederick the Great. Instead, it roots him firmly in his own time; a dynastic, protestant ruler like many another in Germany, but gifted with the toughness and opportunism to overcome the hostility of his local nobilities and of the surrounding great powers.

The heyday of the European states system was in the century before the First World War. How the system of five great powers in conscious equilibrium came into being is the central theme of this book.

The heyday of the European states system was in the century before the First World War. How the system of five great powers in conscious equilibrium came into being is the central theme of this book.

Generations of young Britons made their careers in Malaya. Some scaled the heights of the administrative service and are well recorded in the formal histories. Others served in less high profile but equally challenging departments, carrying out the work of government in difficult and sometimes dangerous circumstances. Eastern Customs traces the fascinating story of the Customs Service in British Malaya and those who made up its ranks. The service had a brief but colourful history from its introduction in 1910. For the next three decades, it took on the opium monopoly and became responsible for its importation, processing and distribution. It was a lucrative business, providing more than 50 per cent of Government revenue. But as international opposition to drugs hardened the service controlled and eventually moved to eliminate the trade, becoming an anti-narcotics force after 1946.