A thief and a nobleman, both down on their luck, cross paths on a bitter winter’s day in 1701. One, known locally as “The Fowl-Filcher,” is fleeing the gallows; the other, the callow Christian von Tornefeld, has escaped execution to fight for his Swedish king. Neither will reach his destination. Sent with a message to secure aid for von Tornefeld, the thief falls in love with his companion’s secret fiancée. He resolves to win her love for himself, and through a clever stratagem, exchanges his fate for the other man’s. Risking everything to attain the woman and station of his dreams, he becomes the Swedish cavalier, staying one step ahead of exposure. Later, he sacrifices everything so that is daughter won’t learn of his secret past. In this book he considered is masterpiece, Leo Perutz has created a picaresque world of barons and brigands, swashbuckling dragoons and spurned lovers, gentleman farmers and masked robbers, and lucky parchments, magic spells, and mystical visions. Part adventure, part historical novel of war-ravaged Europe, The Sweddish Cavalier is also a moral tale of deceit, betrayal, and redemption. Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade, Yucca, and Good Books imprints, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in fiction—novels, novellas, political and medical thrillers, comedy, satire, historical fiction, romance, erotic and love stories, mystery, classic literature, folklore and mythology, literary classics including Shakespeare, Dumas, Wilde, Cather, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

Risking everything to attain the woman and station of his dreams, a thief changes places with the Swedish cavalier he meets on a bitter winter's day in 1701.

The Rough Guide to Sweden is the ultimate guidebook to a fascinating but often overlooked country. Features include: Full-colour section including Sweden's highlights; in-depth coverage of all the attractions in this unspoilt land of lakes and forests, from elegant Stockholm to remote villages in northern Lapland; insiders' review of the best places to stay and eat in what is fast becoming one of the best-value tourist destinations in Europe; practical tips on exploring the stunning scenery, including information on hiking, winter sports and the national parks; maps and plans for every region.

The little-known story of the Swedish king and military commander who conquered much of Germany in the early seventeenth century. As one of the foremost military commanders of the early seventeenth century, Gustavus Adophus, king of Sweden, played a vital role in defending the Protestant cause during the Thirty Years War. In the space of two years—between 1630 and 1632—he turned the course of the war, winning a decisive victory at the Battle of Breitenfeld and conquering large parts of Germany. Yet remarkably little has been written about him in English, and no full account of his extraordinary career has been published in recent times. That is why this perceptive and scholarly study is of such value. The book sets Gustavus in the context of Swedish and European dynastic politics and religious conflict in the early seventeenth century, and describes in detail Swedish military organization and Gustavus’s reforms. His intervention in the Thirty Years War is covered in graphic detail—the decision to intervene, his alliance with France, his campaigns across the breadth of Germany, and his generalship at the two major battles he fought there. His exceptional skill as a battlefield commander transformed the fortunes of the Protestant side in the conflict, and he had established himself as a major European figure before his death on the battlefield. Lars Ericson Wolke, one of the leading experts on the military history of the Baltic and the Thirty Years War, offers a fascinating insight into Gustavus the man and the soldier.

This book examines the evolution and changes in Swedish infantry and artillery uniforms during the Great Northern War. The author reconstructs in detail the appearance of infantry and artillery officers, NCOs, and privates of the time of Charles XII, drawing on a number of studies and articles, and based on extant artifacts, and written and iconographic documents that have survived to our time. The book illustrates both major and minor changes in the cut, style, and adornments of the uniforms of infantry and artillery officers, NCOs, and privates that occurred shortly before or during the war. It also provides detailed insights into the differences between the Carolean uniforms of the “older model” of 1687, which served as the basis for later modifications, and the “younger model” of 1706, as well as into different variations in transitional models existing between the two. The book also studies the different variations of headgear used by Swedish officers, NCOs, and privates, with a particular focus on grenadier caps, and examines soldiers’ accouterments and dress. The uniforms and insignia of Swedish infantry and artillery officers are described in a separate section. Along with published sources, this book also relies on little-known or previously unpublished documents. The text is accompanied with photos of surviving uniforms, archaeological finds and period artworks, and is richly illustrated with the author’s graphic reconstructions of period uniforms. A full-color section is dedicated to the author’s own plates, which show officers, NCOs, and privates of Charles XII’s army during the Great Northern War. These eye-catching graphic reconstructions with detailed descriptions will be helpful for historians, artists, reenactors, and filmmakers. They will also be invaluable to those who are fond of historical figurines and to those who create their own tabletop armies to play out historical battles.

The Rough Guide to Sweden is the definitive travel guide with clear maps and coverage of the biggest and best known of all the Scandinavian countries, Sweden. Discover the vibrant regions of Sweden with expert tips on exploring all of the best Swedish attractions; from the wilds of Swedish Lapland to the most popular bars and restaurants in Sweden’s cosmopolitan capital, Stockholm. Packed with the all the essential insider tips every traveller to Sweden needs; you’ll find an authoritative background on Sweden’s history and culture, detailed practical advice on what to see and do in Sweden whilst relying on up-to-date descriptions of the best hotels in Sweden, bars in Sweden, Swedish restaurants, shopping and entertainment for all budgets. Fully updated and expanded, The Rough Guide to Sweden covers everything from visiting the Hanseatic town of Visby, a former Viking site, to tips to seeing the country’s latest attraction, ABBA The Museum, opening shortly in Stockholm. Explore all corners of Sweden with improved and enlarged maps of Gothenburg, Sweden’s second city, and new maps of Halmstad and Umeå. Make the most of your holiday with The Rough Guide to Sweden.