This books traces the myth of August the Strong (1670-1733), a figure of great wealth, power and sexual prowess, from the late seventeenth to the twenty-first century in German historiography, fiction, art and media. The author reveals the challenges facing historians in interpreting historical myths and popular media.

Madeleine Brook is Departmental Lecturer in Early Modern German at the University of Oxford.

Contents: History versus fiction and August the Strong Fabricating the image of August the Strong at the Saxon court – August the Strong the eighteenth-century gallant archetype – The eighteenth century through nineteenth-century eyes – August the Strong on stage and screen, 1900-1949 – August the Strong and cultural politics in the GDR – August the Strong in post- writing and television to 2010.