Part 3, The Great Northern War, Chapters 34—39 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 34, "Mazeppa," opens by explaining how the enfeebled Swedish forces are divided en route to Starodub, allowing the Russians to occupy key positions. With Severia lost, Charles enters the fertile Ukraine hoping to ally with the Cossack Hetman Mazeppa, who for over 30 years has watched for an opportunity to win Ukrainian independence. Caught in a lie about his health, Mazeppa panics and runs into Charles' arms. To limit the rebellion, Peter puts a price on the traitor's head and Menshikov demolishes Mazeppa's capital, Baturin, both to deny the Swedes and to deliver a lesson. Deep in enemy territory, low on food and gunpowder, Charles is desperate.

Chapter 35, "The Worst Winter Within Memory," shows the effects of the intense cold that grips all of Europe in 1708. The Swedes impose on...