This book is the result of a long process. Based on my PhD thesis, which I defended at the University of Helsinki in 2020, it is the culmination of a long fascination with the theme of early modern patriotism.
Throughout the many years I have spent researching Prussian patriotism, I have received useful advice and feedback from numerous historians. In particular, I am grateful to Kari Saastamoinen, Ere Nokkala, Markku Peltonen, Eva Piirimäe, Hans Erich Bödeker, Cesare Cuttica, Koen Stapelbroek, Avi Lifschitz, Anthony La Vopa and Jani Marjanen for their comments.
Though I have never met Christopher Clark, I would like to acknowledge that it was reading his Iron Kingdom that inspired me to study the history of Prussia in the first place.
I am thankful to the Emil Aaltonen Foundation for the funding granted to my research.
Finally, I would like to thank my father, Pekka Sivonen, and my mother, Raija Lahdenperä.