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The first half of The Charles Men, ending on the climax of the battle of Poltava in 1709, is more dramatically coherent than the second.

After the collapse of that desperate and ill-fated campaign the character of the king degenerated for a time into a futility that was not merely pitiable but often ridiculous.

Like Napoleon, he was the worst of losers.

There are, however, some wonderful chapters at the beginning of the second part, concerning the reactions of the Swedes in adversity.

Then more than ever before did they show their fortitude and patient cheerfulness.

This comes out in `` When The Bells Ring '', which describes the rallying of the peasants in southern Sweden to repel an invasion by the Danes.