text:  For instance to understand the wars of Frederick the Great it is not enough to know that he was defeated at Kolin Hochkirchen and Cunersdorf--that he was victorious at Rosbach Lowositz Zorndorf and Prague--that he was opposed by Daun and Laudohn and Soltikoff--we must also comprehend the situation of the Prussian dominions with regard to those of the allies--the importance of Saxony as covering Prussia on the side of Austria--the importance of Silesia as running into the Austrian frontier and flanking a large part of Bohemia should also be considered--this will alone enable us to account for Frederick's attack on Saxony and his pertinacity in keeping possession of Silesia; nor should it be forgotten that the military positions of one generation are not always those of the next and that the military history of one period will be almost unintelligible if judged according to the roads and fortresses of another