Reddit reviews The Myth of Absolutism: Change & Continuity in Early Modern European Monarchy

I think overall the "absolutist" part of Absolutist Monarchies has been overplayed. In reality there never were absolute monarchs in the sense that unlimited applied political power was vested in one person. In reality the monarch's power was limited both by his personal location to enforce his power and/or by the apparatus of the state (including bureaucrats and aristocrats) to carry out his will for him where he could not be. Thus I prefer the term "Traditional Monarchy" over "Absolute Monarchy" though in practice I think those who support the latter are largely in line with my own beliefs.

The book to read is The Myth of Absolutism