Louis XIV Of France

Love and Louis XIV: The Women in the Life of the Sun King

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Louis XIV: the man known as the Sun King
Second fiddle to the previous "The Journey, Marie Antoinette."
Interesting History
The Domestic Life of the Sun King
The Loves of French Sun King Louis XIV examined in a fine book by Lady Antonia Fraser

Love and Louis XIV: The Women in the Life of the Sun King
Antonia Fraser
Manufacturer: Nan A. Talese
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0385509847
Release Date: 2006-10-24

Book Description

The self-proclaimed Sun King, Louis XIV ruled over the most glorious and extravagant court in seventeenth-century Europe. Now, Antonia Fraser goes behind the well-known tales of Louis’s accomplishments and follies, exploring in riveting detail his intimate relationships with women.

The king’s mother, Anne of Austria, had been in a childless marriage for twenty-two years before she gave birth to Louis XIV. A devout Catholic, she instilled in her son a strong sense of piety and fought successfully for his right to absolute power. In 1660, Louis married his first cousin, Marie-Thérèse, in a political arrangement. While unfailingly kind to the official "Queen of Versailles," Louis sought others to satisfy his romantic and sexual desires. After a flirtation with his sister-in-law, his first important mistress was Louise de La Vallière, who bore him several children before being replaced by the tempestuous and brilliant Athénaïs, marquise de Montespan. Later, when Athénaïs’s reputation was tarnished, the king continued to support her publicly until Athénaïs left court for a life of repentance. Meanwhile her children’s governess, the intelligent and seemingly puritanical Françoise de Maintenon, had already won the king’s affections; in a relationship in complete contrast to his physical obsession with Athénaïs, Louis XIV lived happily with Madame de Maintenon for the rest of his life, very probably marrying her in secret. When his grandson’s child bride, the enchanting Adelaide of Savoy, came to Versaille she lightened the king’s last years—until tragedy struck.

With consummate skill, Antonia Fraser weaves insights into the nature of women’s religious lives—as well as such practical matters as contraception—into her magnificent, sweeping portrait of the king, his court, and his ladies.

Customer Reviews:

Louis XIV: the man known as the Sun King.......2007-03-16

Louis XIV, styled the Sun King, was the King of France for 72 years (1643 to 1715). At the time of his birth, his mother (Queen Anne) was almost 37, and was childless after 22 years of marriage (to King Louis XIII).

It is no wonder, then, that Louis was styled 'Dieudonne' or 'Deodatus' ('Godgiven'). It is perhaps also unsurprising that Louis's bond with his mother was so strong.

The reign of Louis XIV has been written about by many: there were many achievements during his long reign (including the construction of Versailles, reforms of taxation and administration, and patronage of the arts).

Antonia Fraser has focussed on his relationships with women. From his strong loving relationship with his mother, his kind but formal relationship with his wife Marie-Therese, his multiple and very different mistresses, as well as with the women of his extended family, we obtain a more complete picture of Louis XIV man and king.

I have read, enjoyed and learned from Antonia Fraser's non fiction since 1974. This book does not disappoint. By illustrating Louis XIV's awareness of the conflict between church doctrine, and adultery, Ms Fraser gives us another dimension of insight into this successful monarch's long reign.

Highly recommended to those interested in the life and times of Louis XIV.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

Second fiddle to the previous "The Journey, Marie Antoinette.".......2007-01-20

It is not that the book is a bit dull. Louis XIV was dull, well dull compared to those who came before and those came after. Beautifully written, excruiciating research, lovely to read. However, while I found the previous book by the author, The Journey: Marie Antoinette, compelling and a struggle to set aside to complete nominal life perserving tasks (eating, drinking)this book presented a society that was living under a cloche or bell jar, stifled and well, dull, even the sex seemed not worthwhile and, yes, pretty dull. Perhaps it was that way. Nonetheless, the author was able to keep the massive cast of characters in a presentation so that the order within a the reader's grasp.

Interesting History.......2007-01-09

Not a bad read, although all of the facts make it seem overly long, and the similarity of some of the names can be confusing - not the author's fault. Antonia Fraser tells a very detailed story about the Sun King, and the ladies he was involved with.

The Domestic Life of the Sun King.......2007-01-03

"Love" as presumed by casual browsers of the title, and "Love" as meant by the author may differ. The book covers his friendships, flirtations, infatuations, in-law relations, marriage and (perhaps) pseudo marriage and his views of the female obligation to sacrifice for international diplomacy. By the standards of his cousin, Charles II of England, Louis XIV was the much more responsible adulterer.

Fraser demonsrates how Louis' early bond with a loving mother- an exception for a time characterized by royal nurseries-was replicated in his intimate relationships with women. There is an interesting symmetry that you come to understand as the story evolves.

The best part is the end when Fraser gives analysis of Louis and his attitude towards women and his basic generousity.

My only criticism is that the genealogical chart is difficult to read. A different lay out would have helped.

This book doesn't try cover the weighty historic issues which are well documented in many other sources. This book brings something new to the table. Like all Fraser books, it is very well researched and readably presented.

The Loves of French Sun King Louis XIV examined in a fine book by Lady Antonia Fraser.......2006-12-26

The past is a land we are unfamiliar with in our world of 21st century technology and fast paced daily living. Lady Antonia Fraser the distinguished British historian and novelist takes us to the seventeenth century court of the Sun King Louis XIV.
Louis XIV was the son of Louis XII and his redoubtable mother Anne of Austria whom he loved with deep emotion. She was probably the greatest love of his entire life filled with countless amours,mistresses and sexual escapades too numerous to mention.
Lady Antonia Fraser looks at the lives of the most prominent of the women in his life. His Spanish wife Marie-Therese was shy, fertile and
dull. The lovely Louise de Vallie was pious and lovely. She eventually became a nun for most of her life. The sexy Madame Montespan had several children by Louis. She was witty and knew how to handle his sexual and social needs. Louis enjoyed hunting in France and making war in Europe.
He led France to disaster in the War of Spanish Succession and the peasants live a harsh and short existence.
Fraser also tells us of Madame Maintenon who was a pious motherly type woman who cared for Louis for several years.
The book will sometimes be confusing trying to keep all the Louises and Maries straight! The footnotes at the bottom of so many of the pages can also prove distracting. Someone who is familiar with French History would especially enjoy the story. It is written in a style which is accessible to the general reader willing to give it the attention needed for such
complicated amorous affairs. The book is lavishly illustrated and bound.
Fraser's former books on the likes of Oliver Cromwell; Charles II; Marie Antoinette and the lives of women in distant centuries are also well worth
perusal. This book on Louis XIV (1638-1715) is another distinguished volume by Fraser.

The Essence of Style: How the French Invented High Fashion, Fine Food, Chic Cafes, Style, Sophistication, and Glamour

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The Origin Of Our Modern Concept Of Style
Frivolous
A good read, but lacks depth
Vive La France!
fluff history

The Essence of Style: How the French Invented High Fashion, Fine Food, Chic Cafes, Style, Sophistication, and Glamour
Joan DeJean
Manufacturer: Free Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0743264134

Book Description

What makes fashionistas willing to pay a small fortune for a particular designer accessory -- a luxe handbag, for example? Why is it that people all over the world share the conviction that a special occasion only becomes really special when a champagne cork pops -- and even more special when that cork comes from a bottle of Dom Pérignon? Why are diamonds the status symbol gemstone, instantly signifying wealth, power, and even emotional commitment?

One of the foremost authorities on seventeenth-century French culture provides the answer to these and other fascinating questions in her account of how, at one glittering moment in history, the French under Louis XIV set the standards of sophistication, style, and glamour that still rule our lives today.

Joan DeJean explains how a handsome and charismatic young king with a great sense of style and an even greater sense of history decided to make both himself and his country legendary. When the reign of Louis XIV began, his nation had no particular association with elegance, yet by its end, the French had become accepted all over the world as the arbiters in matters of taste and style and had established a dominance in the luxury trade that continues to this day. DeJean takes us back to the birth of haute cuisine, the first appearance of celebrity hairdressers, chic cafes, nightlife, and fashion in elegant dress that extended well beyond the limited confines of court circles. And Paris was the magical center -- the destination of travelers all across Europe.

As the author observes, without the Sun King's program for redefining France as the land of luxury and glamour, there might never have been a Stork Club, a Bergdorf Goodman, a Chez Panisse, or a Cristophe of Beverly Hills -- and President Clinton would never have dreamed of holding Air Force One on the tarmac of LAX for an hour while Cristophe worked his styling genius on the president's hair.

Written with wit, dash, and élan by an author who knows this astonishing true story better than virtually anyone, The Essence of Style will delight fans of history and everybody who wonders about the elusive definition of good taste.

Customer Reviews:

The Origin Of Our Modern Concept Of Style.......2007-06-04

This is not really a book, but more of a collection of essays examining the origin of various modern concepts of style: hair, culture, fashion, marketing/tourism, footwear, fine dining, coffee, champagne, diamonds, mirrors, nightlife, umbrellas, shopping, perfumes, and entertaining.

As a scholar of French history and culture, the unifying theme of Joan DeJean's work is that the origins of these parts of our modern society came in the reign of Loius XIV of France, and fairly amazing are largly unchanged since their implementation.

By this I mean not the specifics of style, but in the way they function in the greater culture.

DeJean speaks well to the technology being developed at the time as well as the reasons that the late 1600's were the first time these aspects of life could be mass consumed, instead of say, the 1200's.

Frivolous.......2007-05-24

I wasted an hour searching for something of substantive interest in this work. It was time spent in vain. A frivolous book about frivolous things.

A good read, but lacks depth.......2007-05-15

Topic Selection: B+ Although the book may seem a little all over the place to some, focusing on such diverse aspects of culture as food, clothing, champagne, perfume, parties, and even umbrellas, DeJean does a good job of relating the different parts of the book to one another. She ties them all to a very specific period of history and especially to Louis XIV.

Scholarship: C- DeJean seems to rely fairly heavily on a rather small number of sources, despite the fact that the total number of sources is pretty good. Also, at least some footnotes would help the book.

Readability: A- This book was obviously written to be consumed by a general audience. DeJean's style is very easy to read, although some of the chapters seem repetitive, as she often comes to the same conclusion.

Impartiality: C I detected a definite "France is great" tone to this book that could sometimes be a little distracting. One also gets the impression that DeJean thinks that the move towards rapidly changing fashions was inevitably a good thing, for which she does not give a reason. She was not biased in an overbearing way, but there is definitely a bias there.

Overall: B- I really enjoyed the book and for beginners to this area of history, I think it is ideal. You learn a lot of those little things that you always wondered about, such as where the concept of dessert comes from. DeJean's style is readable and she is obviously passionate about the subject. Serious scholars should stay away, as the book does not always adequately cite it's sources and does not prove its argument as adequately as it could.

Vive La France!.......2006-06-01

Is not the words "Joie de Vivre" French for joy of life? Qui!

The French work to live while North Americans live to work. Life is short and no wonder Hemingway said that those who know Paris never forget it.

An interesting take on the Gaulle of living.

fluff history.......2006-03-03

Some more rigorous historical analysis would have turned this 'lite' read into something worthwhile. The crude translations of 17th-century France into modern-day America, irrespective of different economic systems and radically discrete cultures, turn what could have been an inspired thesis into the kind of chatter you'd expect to hear from grandma.

The Confusion (The Baroque Cycle, Vol. 2)

Average customer rating:

con-fused
pirates and action
Every Bit as Good as the First Book
He lost me
Tolkien's work LoTR was the written work of the 20th century...

The Confusion (The Baroque Cycle, Vol. 2)
Neal Stephenson
Manufacturer: Amazon Remainders Account
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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The System of the World (The Baroque Cycle, Vol. 3)
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Cryptonomicon
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ASIN: B0009K765I

Book Description

In the year 1689, a cabal of Barbary galley slaves -- including one Jack Shaftoe, a.k.a. King of the Vagabonds, a.k.a. Half-Cocked Jack, lately and miraculously cured of the pox -- devises a daring plan to win freedom and fortune. A great adventure ensues, rife with battles, chases, hairbreadth escapes, swashbuckling, bloodletting, and danger -- a perilous race for an enormous prize of silver ... nay, gold ... nay, legendary gold that will place the intrepid band at odds with the mighty and the mad, with alchemists, Jesuits, great navies, pirate queens, and vengeful despots across vast oceans and around the globe.

Meanwhile, back in Europe ...

The exquisite and resourceful Eliza, Countess de la Zeur, master of markets, pawn and confidante of enemy kings, onetime Turkish harem virgin, is stripped of her immense personal fortune by France's most dashing privateer. Penniless and at risk from those who desire either her or her head (or both), she is caught up in a web of international intrigue, even as she desperately seeks the return of her most precious possession -- her child.

While ...

Newton and Leibniz continue to propound their grand theories as their infamous rivalry intensifies, stubborn alchemy does battle with the natural sciences, nobles are beheaded, dastardly plots are set in motion, coins are newly minted (or not) in enemy strongholds, father and sons reunite in faraway lands, priests rise from the dead ... and Daniel Waterhouse seeks passage to the Massachusetts colony in hopes of escaping the madness into which his world has descended.

Download Description

Continuing the epic adventure begun in the bestselling QUICKSILVER! It is the late 1600s on the high seas. A group of Barbary galley slaves plot amongst themselves as they ply the oars of a pirate ship. These ten men -- unfortunates from around the world impressed into servitude -- have heard whispers of an enormous cache of Spanish gold. Together, they hatch a daring scheme: escape their chains, seize a ship, and discover the gold. Meanwhile, on the other side of the world . . . The beautiful Eliza, toast of Versailles and spy extraordinaire, attempts to return to London with her baby, a child whose paternity remains a mystery. But, as she makes her way home from the Continent, her ship is stopped by a French privateer -- and she is returned to the Sun King's court. And so Eliza is thrown back into a web of international intrigue, and finds herself contending with all manner of characters, including cryptographers, poisoners, Jesuits, financial manipulators, and the stray pirate or two.

Customer Reviews:

con-fused.......2007-05-14

Stephenson's unique style continues with The Confusion. Two stories are con-fused in this volume: One of Jack Shaftoe and his adventuring cabal, and the other of Eliza and her economic and political machinations. From the first book Jack Shaftoe was one of my favorite characters while Eliza was one of my least favorite, therefore I truly enojyed one half of this volume while only somewhat enjoying the other half.

pirates and action.......2007-05-07

The second book is a fun read as the majority of the characters are already established, bbut the action slows down from the first book. Per the usual "second of a trilogy" book the main characters are sent out away from each other, obviously in preparation for the grand coming together in the third book. If you liked the first one, keep reading. If not, you won't appreciate the second book( and you will not want to read the third). To be honest, I like the Shaftoe characters (Cryptomonical was better balanced) and could have used more of Jack, but the second is a set up for the third so keep reading.

Every Bit as Good as the First Book.......2007-03-22

THE CONFUSION can be every bit as confusing as QUICKSILVER but it is no less delightful. It ever manages that rare feat among trilogies of being a middle book every bit as good as the first. That the first was outstanding means that this is no small accomplishment.

In the grand scheme of things, this can be read as a pirate adventure or, actually, two of them. The first pirate ended the first book being taken prisoner by Barbary pirates. It is now some years later and Jack is still a galley slave but some chums have cooked up a get rich scheme that is not quite as quick as it could be. It involves a diverse cast of characters and, before it is over, Jack has circumnavigated the globes, been a king and had many, many more adventures. Each of them entertaining.

The second pirate is a more sedentary kind. She is a financier and investor who manipulates the English, Dutch, French and Germans with ease. In the process she manages to raise herself from an escaped harem slave to a multinational duchess.

These two have a history from the first book but their paths have diverged since then. Even so, the duchess is never far from the mind of the adventurer. He loves her dearly and she loves him...sort of.

It is a great story that can stand on its own but which is so much better when read after the first book. The baroque plotting and story line are refreshing instead of tedious. This is a masterwork.

He lost me.......2006-12-13

It's rare that I put a book down, however that's what I've done with this series. After reading the first book and somewhat liking it, then reading most of this second book I realized I didn't find all of the storylines interesting. The pirating parts were a blast, good action, interesting planning by Shaftoe et al, but then it's back to Eliza and dreadfully boring political schemes to make money. It was disappointing because she was the best part of the first book!

Perhaps I'll pick it up again when my reading backlog has emptied out, but for now, it's not a big enough satisfaction payoff for time invested. Which is disappointing because before this series Stephenson was tops.

Tolkien's work LoTR was the written work of the 20th century..........2006-11-01

We'll have to wait 94 years to find out, but I'm betting on Stephenson's work for this century.

Just get this series, you won't regret getting through all those pages.

Twenty Years After (Oxford World's Classics)

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The Musketeers are still swashbuckling twenty years later!
Clever and filled with manners
An Excellent Book!
A Remarkably Successful Sequel - Alexandre Dumas Triumphs Again
The Musketeers at Middle Age

Twenty Years After (Oxford World's Classics)
Alexandre Dumas père
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0192838431

Book Description

Twenty Years After (1845), the sequel to The Three Musketeers, is a supreme creation of suspense and heroic adventure. Two decades have passed since the musketeers triumphed over Cardinal Richelieu and Milady. Time has weakened their resolve, and dispersed their loyalties. But treasons and strategems still cry out for justice: civil war endangers the throne of France, while in England Cromwell threatens to send Charles I to the scaffold. Dumas brings his immortal quartet out of retirement to cross swords with time, the malevolence of men, and the forces of history. But their greatest test is a titanic struggle with the son of Milady, who wears the face of Evil. In his Introduction to this edition David Coward sets both the author and his exciting tale in their historical and cultural contexts.

Customer Reviews:

The Musketeers are still swashbuckling twenty years later!.......2007-06-23

It's been twenty years since the close of The Three Musketeers, and only D'Artagnan remains in service to the French Crown. Richelieu is dead and his protege Mazarin now holds the power behind the throne. Anne of Austria rules as regent for her young son, and civil war threatens France.

D'Artagnan is sent to bring the Musketeers out of retirement, but they find themselves at odds between the two sides in the civil unrest. D'Artagnan wants to be promoted to captain and Porthos who wants to be a baron, side with Mazarin, Athos and Aramis with the Fronduers (sp?). However, they soon find that although much has changed, their love and friendship for each other remain intact, particularly when faced with the evil son of Milady, who is bent upon revenge against those who executed his mother.

There's way too much plot to even try to explain, leave it to say that there is much adventure and derring do, from the civil war in France to the conflict between Charles I and Oliver Cromwell in England. I expecially enjoyed the nail biting, sit on the edge of your seat excitement during the escape from England and Mordaunt, along with the rescue of D'Artagnan, Porthos and Athos from Mazarin (what fun!). Along with the excitement comes the humor of their constant banter and escapades making for a near perfect read.

I personally liked the parts in England the best, but I think that's because I have a better understanding of English history than French. Even after researching that period in France and Mazarin online, I still got a bit confused at times, but that is a minor issue in comparison to the rest of the story. Dumas is brilliant (as always) and his dialogue is among the best (as always). An awesome sequel to the Three Musketeers, and I am looking forward to starting the next chapter in this story, The Vicomte De Bragelonne.

Clever and filled with manners.......2006-07-25

When I looked at this book I thought I was going to be disappointed because of the possibility that all of the characters will change too much. After some 500 pages into the book, I realized their change was only natural to that of real life. Alexandre Dumas marveously wrote "twenty year after" as if it was a non fictional story with all of the involvement of history incorporated into the plots and timeline of events.

Of the four the friends, D'artagnan once agian outshined the rest, but that's only in my opinion. Not to mention, all of the old favorite sidekick characters are back. Planchet, Grimaud, Bazen, and Mousten. Together the four friends are seperated and united once agian to answer to the task given by their beliefs and views.

Unfortunately, their was no love plot like that of the first book with D'artagnan and Ma'dam Bonacieux, thus my 4 out of 5 stars for this worthy book.

An Excellent Book!.......2006-04-15

I absolutely loved this book! It now rates as one of my favorites. The complexities and length of the plot were refreshing, and provide an excellent continuation to The Three Musketeers. Too often a wonderful books ends, and then there is nothing but speculation as to what happened to characters in the future. Ten Years After is a wonderful exception, one that kept me at the edge of my seat in the few days I read it (in spite of school work! :))I nearly cried at the execution of Charles, an event I was certain would end differently... the Inseparables were on the case, after all. At the same time it was brilliant and glorious. And Dumas too, while at sometimes bewildering (old enemies become friends seemingly overnight as you see towards the beginning- Rochefort, anyone?)still has refreshing unpredictability. There are excellent quotes, too! I left dog-ear every page with insightful words, and by the time I was finished with this book there was a wealth of thought provoking and amusing thoughts. I sincerely recommend this book- it's fabulous! Read it- you won't be disappointed.

A Remarkably Successful Sequel - Alexandre Dumas Triumphs Again.......2006-02-26

Twenty Years After is the highly successful sequel to The Three Musketeers. Alexandre Dumas did not take the easy route and simply regroup his daring musketeers, D'Artagnan, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, and send them on another adventure. Remarkably, he ratcheted the time period forward twenty years, aging his characters accordingly. The seemingly inseparable musketeers have moved along different paths and D'Artagnan has not seen his friends for many years. For many chapters Dumas leaves the reader unsure whether these four erstwhile companions can put aside their differences - Aramis and Athos are engaged in a conspiracy diametrically opposed to D'Artagnan's interests - and come together in a new undertaking on behalf of the Queen.

The twenty year gap was not just a whim on Alexandre Dumas' part. Cardinal Richelieu died in 1642 and Louis XIII in 1643. His son, Louis XIV, was only five. The Queen was named Regent and selected Mazarin as her key advisor. Mazarin, by continuing Richelieu's policy of consolidating royal power, angered many elements of French society, ranging from the semiautonomous nobility to the popular masses. Mazarin's unpopularity ultimately resulted in two separate civil revolts, the first and second Fronde. The first Fronde (1648) is the setting for Twenty Years After.

Despite the twenty year gap, there are many similarities with The Three Musketeers. The older musketeers are no less adventuresome, no less courageous, and no less awesome in combat. The musketeers again become embroiled in court intrigues, including a cross channel adventure in England in which they assist Charles I against Cromwell. In perhaps his most audacious step, Dumas introduces Mordaunt, the revengeful son of Milady. Surprisingly, this fictional addition proves quite effective, and contributes significantly to the suspense and drama of Twenty Years After.

Upon completion of this entertaining sequel, I again wondered why there had been no mention of D'Artagnan, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis in my history classes. In my view French history is far less interesting without these intrepid adventurers.

Recommendation: I highly recommend the relatively inexpensive Oxford World's Classics edition of Twenty Years After, especially for its valuable supplementary material. In particular, I found the editor's explanatory notes - includes many references to earlier events in The Three Musketeers as well as short historical descriptions of the many, many characters that appear in this long novel - to be exceedingly helpful.

The Musketeers at Middle Age.......2005-01-05

At the end of the Three Musketeers, the reader is left with the feeling that these young heroes can only go on to greater heights. As this book opens, twenty years have passed since the death of Milady. The Musketeer's youthful dreams have not quite panned out. They are now in their forties and the world is much more complicated.

The most brilliant of the four friends D'Artagnan, is still only a lieutenant in the Kings Musketeers. His talents have never been recognized. Although wealthy, Porthos is unhappy because his neighbors do not hold him in high esteem. Although now an abbe, Aramis still is drawn to the world of the sword. Only Athos seems to have found some peace as a country squire.

The four close friends have gone their separate ways. They have not spoken or seen eachother for many years. However, France is on the verge of a civil war. D'Artagnan's desire for recognition and fortune leads him to bring the four old friends back together again for one more grand adventure.

I thought the Three Musketeers was one of the great adventure stories. It is hard to believe but Twenty Years After is an even better book. Dumas has the advantage of creating four great characters in the Three Musketeers. Twenty Years After, gives Dumas another 800 pages to develop these memorable adventurers. What made Dumas such a genius, is that he knew how to build a story to a high pitch and keep that high level of tension and excitement going for hundreds of pages. This is truly a remarkable book. The only down side to Twenty Years After is that I now have another 2100 pages to go before I end the five part Musketeer series.

Story of Civilization, Vol VIII: Age of Louis XIV: Volume VIII (Story of Civilization)

Average customer rating:

ABSOLUTELY CAPTIVATING
The Eighth Volume in The Story of Civilization!
Sunrise, Sunset!
Amazing masterpiece.
Another masterful volume of the landmark series

Story of Civilization, Vol VIII: Age of Louis XIV: Volume VIII (Story of Civilization)
Will Durant
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0671012150

Book Description

(8th Volume of Civilization series)

In the eighth volume of their Story of Civilization, the Durants explore the apex of European civilization to that time, the years 1648 to 1715. It is the era of the "Sun King," Louis XIV, one of the most powerful rulers in Western history. It is also the pinnacle of Dutch culture, the heyday of Vermeer and William of Orange, later King of England. All this forms the backdrop for the Durants' real focus: the intellectual character of the age. Encompassing Newton and Leibniz, among others, THE AGE OF LOUIS XIV marks a momentous transition: the passage from superstition and intolerance to science and philosophy. This is the period on which the foundation for modernity rests.

"Informed and highly readable ... eloquently partisan for the dignity of man and the decencies of life." (Saturday Review)

Customer Reviews:

ABSOLUTELY CAPTIVATING.......2006-01-16

Will Durant continues his wonderful series with this volume covering and important era which is quite often overlooked by our educational system. Much of what we are today has it's origins during this era. The Durants bring history to like with their wonderful text and use of language. These volumes, this one included, read more like a novel than a dry and dusty book of forgetable facts. I hate to use the word "lyrical" is describing Durant's style, but it is certainly close. The expierence of reading this volume, along with the others has been a wonderful expierence, one I would have not wanted to miss. Recommend this one, quite highly as I do the others.

The Eighth Volume in The Story of Civilization!.......2004-09-02

In this, the eighth volume in the landmark acclaimed series, "The Story of Civilization, Dr. Will & Ariel Durant have recounted the history of Europe's great age of kings.

The reader will be treated to a masterly exposition of: France's King Louis XIV. The dawn of modern drama, letters, and philosophy from Moliere, Spinoza, Locke, Hobbes, Berkeley and others. King Charles II of England. Isaac Netwon. Russia's Peter The Great. The War of Spanish Succession. And much, much more including plates and maps.

Written to stand alone or within the series, the Durants have written a prose of smooth flowing narrative that is easy to read and understand. In short, this unparalleled work is for everyone, both professional and layperson. I rate this work at five stars. Well done!

Sunrise, Sunset!.......2003-06-07

Over the past year I have read extensively about the 17th century. "The Age of Louis XIV" is the best book which I have found on the period. Volume VII of Will and Ariel Durant's multi-volume "Story of Civilization", this book documents more detail of the era than any others which I have read.

The book begins with sections on France and England. The next section is "The Periphery" dealing with Russia, Poland, Scandinavia, Germany, Italy, and Iberia. After the geographically oriented sections, the reader is treated to sections organized along intellectual topics, such as science, philosophy, and faith and reason, which contain chapters dealing with specific philosophers or scientists. The conclusion wraps it all up with the denouement of Louis XIV.

This book makes the 17th century understandable. The premier character of the era was Louis XIV, the Sun King of France. During his reign, the policies of he and his ministers established France's day in the sun. Absolute ruler of the most populous and powerful kingdom in Western Europe, Louis made France the center of Western Civilization. On these pages we learn about the Fronde, the revolt by the nobility at the rising of his Sun, from which Louis acquired his life long aversion to Paris, Louis' aggressive support of Catholicism, while at the same time maintaining illicit personal relationships, and his generous support for the arts. This era, rich in French literature and theatre, as represented in Moliere, is revealed.

The forces threatening to rend the Catholic Church further asunder, as well as the relationship between King and Pope, are dealt with in detail. I was surprised to learn that Louis exercised a power over the Church in France similar to that which Henry VIII had previously established over the Church in England.

England, meanwhile, endured Cromwell, The Stuart Restoration, and the Glorious Revolution, while spawning Milton, Dryden, Swift and other literary giants.

Interesting contrasts are illustrated. Whereas in France the monarchy was strengthened into absolutism, England was making hesitating steps toward democracy. Whereas Louis excluded much of the nobility from government and military service, essentially forcing them into the role of idle rich, the English nobility gradually gained power and responsibility for the governance of their country. We can see how these trends may have encouraged the resentment of the aristocrats on the part of the French peasantry, which may have contributed to the intensity of feeling during The Terror of the French Revolution. By contrast, the empowerment of the English nobility may have helped solidify the tradition of peaceful political maturation.

On the Periphery, Charles XII brought Sweden to the zenith of its international power, while Peter the great modernized Russia. Germany survived the onslaught of the Turks, while Italy and Iberia, the "Old Europe" of the day, slid through an era of decline.

Intellectually the era was one of giants. Many of the names with which we are familiar come alive as we read of Isaac Newton, Thomas Hobbes, John Lock, Spinoza, Leibniz and others.

The conclusion of the era was the sunset of the Sun King. Having exhausted his country with dynastic war, bled it with unequal taxation and incurred the enmity of the world, Louis negotiated a peace which left his kingdom a shattered hulk of its former greatness.

For anyone desiring an introduction to the history of the 17th century, this is a great place to start. It has me ready for other books in the Durants' "Story of Civilization".

Amazing masterpiece........2002-10-16

Though the central figure of this book is Louix XIV, this book is not about French history, but about European history as a whole.

The focus of this book is not on political and military history but on the history of religion, art, literature, science and philosophy. Or I can say politics is deeply involved in religion, art, literature and philosophy. I have never studied European philosophy before, and I thought it would be exttremely difficult to understand philosophy. But while I was reading this book, I found that phlosophy could be much easier when it was explained in a political context of the times.

And in this book English history was emphasized as much as French history. It is quite natural because Louis himself was deeply involved in and greatly responsible for the 17th century English history, and Thomas Hobbes and John Locke were Englishmen.

I believe that this book is the best book I've ever read. I'd like to read all 12 volumes of Will & Ariel Durant's "The History of Civilization" series.

By the way, I found 2 trivial mistakes in this book.
According to p 505, Halley identified another comet, seen in 1680, with one observed in the year of Christ's death; he traced its recurrence every 575 years, and from the periodicity he computed its orbit and speed around the sun. According to my own calculation, however, 575 x 2 + 33 = 1183, while 575 x 3 + 33 = 1758.
According to p 513, Mariotte amused his friends by showing that "cold" could burn: with a concave slab of ice he focused sunlight upon gunpowder, causing it to explode. To focus sunlight, however, we need a convex lens, not a concave lens.

Another masterful volume of the landmark series.......2002-03-08

The Durants succeed again in encapsulating the 17th century in Europe. They label it as the landmark century intellectually and scientifically and there is much truth to their assessment: the 18th Century, the "Enlightenment" and "Aufklarung" usually takes pride of place given the American and French Revolutions that dominated them and the general retreat of superstition and obscurantism that marred both Catholicism and Protestantism in the previous centuries. The Durants clearly show that all the 18th century did was develop themes initially sounded and expounded by 17th century thinkers such as Hobbes, Locke, Newton, Leibniz, Spinoza and the English Deists. These writers, and others, laid the bedrock for the various revolutions that shook Europe in the 1700 and 1800s and which have culminated in our own day: The Industrial, Political and Scientific.

Thematically, the book is erected upon the scaffolding of the Le Roi Soleil's life. They present his wars, mistresses, patronage of art, political autocracy as well as murderous bigotry. In my opinion, in their conclusion they let Louis off far too lightly. He was a man who countenanced, nay, actually encouraged and gloried not only in wars to dominate Europe--a common enough failing amongst the crowned--but in the Persecution of the Huguenots he left a blot on his record that, in light of the deadly century we just left and the religious fanaticism of 11 September, should sink his record in the humanitarian sense.

His vanity and thirst for "la glorie" (which he admitted himself to have been his worst failing) bankrupted France and left the Peasants in a savage and degrading poverty they hadn't experienced since the calamities of the 14th century. His refusal to use his power to actually reform government and tax the nobility mark his reign as regressive and disastrous in many ways. Still his impeccable taste in the visual and plastic arts-as opposed to his love of second-rate playwrights and third-rate opera--make him the supreme art patron in history. And the prestige and admiration that accumulated acted as a sort of bank that his incompetent, worthless successor cruised upon. Only under sixteenth Louis did the credit of the Sun King's name finally run out...

Customer Reviews:

My Favorite Book, Perfection!.......2006-10-27

This book is an absolutely amazing piece of work. I was introduced to it while looking for audiobooks on ITunes. The audiobook was so enjoyable that I felt compelled to purchase the actual book to read along with it.

Mitford makes each of the historical figures come alive, and makes an opulent and enclosed society accessible to readers of any age. The work is gossipy enough to be interesting, but not to such a degree as to detract from the historical accuracy. I would recommend "The Sun King" to anyone who wishes to learn more about the age of France's greatest king and the people that surrounded him.

The only drawback is that for one to fully appreciate the book, they should have a very basic knowledge of French and European history (at least as far as names and dates are concerned). Having long been interested in history, I did not find this a problem, but I can see how one who was not familiar may find themselves in unfamiliar territory. Otherwise, this book is about as close to perfection as I've seen.

A truly enjoyable book--.......2006-07-20

Ok, I will freely admit that this may not be considered by some to be a scholarly historical assessment. I have been interested in the reign of Louis XIV since childhood when my mother purchased for me a coffee table book of photographs of Versailles. I wondered what could possibly have taken place at such a monstrous and wonderful palace. Since then I have read at least a dozen books on the period which tend to focus on the development and impact of absolutism in 17th century Europe. But this little book is a gem because of its author. Nancy Mitford was the daughter of an English Baron and spent her life as both an academic and a socialite. Her telling of the lives that swirled around Versailles palace is authenticated by the impression one gets that she would have been completely at ease in that setting. This book was written in 1966, just 7 years before her death. Her style sounds more like gossip than history, but is generally regarded as very well-researched. I warn you that if you read this book or one of her other historical biographies, you are in danger of becoming hooked on Mitford and will probably seek out some of her other well-loved books. This was a very enjoyable book and I find myself going back to certain chapters from time to time. One of the most memorable portions is the end where she describes a ghoulish sacrilege; the looting and desecration of the tombs during the revolution. As any good book will, it fascinated me and left me wanting to know more.

Elegantly Entertaining.......2004-10-25

Nancy Mitford is best known as an author of witty, elegant novels like The Pursuit of Love and Love in a Cold Climate. In the 1950s and 1960s she also produced a number of historical works, of which The Sun King is one of the best.

The Sun King is a personal biography of Louis XIV. It does not deal in great detail with the political, military, or economic issues of Louis XIV's reign but primarily focuses on his personal life and that of his family. Louis married his double first cousin Marie Therese of Spain (she being his genetic sister for all intents and purposes, the reader is amazed that his family turned out as strong and healthy as they did). He also had three major mistresses and a string of casual acquaintanceships which produced a number of illegitimate children. His numerous relations also produced a quantity of children and had many extramarital relationships.

A major part of the book deals with the construction of Versailles. Indeed the book seems almost to be a biography of the chateau. The profuse illustrations, including many photographs of the chateau and its grounds, add immeasurably to the pleasure of reading this work.

But the most compelling reason for reading The Sun King is to enjoy Mitford's elegant, witty, prose style, which is as much in evidence here as in her novels.

Witty and personable, good introduction to the subject........2002-06-04

Here's "Lifestyles of the Obscenely Wealthy and Powerful"! I admit I'd never read much about this period of history (I'm fond of joking that my in-depth knowledge of politics and history more or less ends with Elizabeth I's death), but the bit I read at the bookstore made this book irresistible. I passed up an Alison Weir for this, but I don't regret the choice at all. It is both charming and knowledgable, with a witty, personable, almost gossipy tone.

There's a lot of information here, packaged with lots of pictures and glossy pages. It is a lovely book to look at purely on an aesthetic level. But do take the time to actually read it! Though sparse in areas, it is a rich look at the life of Louis, and at the lifestyle of a courtier of his day. The creation of Versailles is gone into in much detail, as are sexual politics and wartime attitudes. Mostly this focuses on Louis' personal life and that of his court and how Versailles came about, so there isn't much here about actual wars or about international politics. But what there is is just stupendous. I'd call this a must-have for a beginner in French history. I'm very glad I got it.

The Sun King.......2001-08-20

Nancy Mitford came to me by way of this book and, ignorant of the incredible talents that lie with her, her sisters and the aristocratic family into which she was born. Since then, I have devoured Nancy's fiction, her personal history and I have much more to learn. However, it is her talents as a biographer and historian, perhaps best exemplified with this book, that I believe she achieves the realization of her greatest gift; that is to send life into the dead hand of history. In "The Sun King" history comes alive as I have truly never experienced. Here is a book that takes heretofore one dimensional characters and fills their frames with humanity, giving them dimemsionality, life. She uncovers the perspective that sheds light on each characters good and bad side, turning Louis XIV, Monsieur, The King's wives, his children, in fact the whole of the court at Versailles into a vision in one's head that makes it easy to understand why the Ancien Regime in France can still provide relevance to a contemporary world that approximates it so little. Relevance and topic interest, to be sure, is the most amazing feat for a historian to achieve. Nancy Mitford with "The Sun King" stands among rarified company in such an achievement.

The Man in the Iron Mask (Oxford World's Classics)

Average customer rating:

Who was the man in the iron mask?
The Final Bow of the Musketeers
No One Can Write a More Thrilling Story than Dumas
The end of a trilogy
This is the end...beautiful friend...

The Man in the Iron Mask (Oxford World's Classics)
Alexandre Dumas père
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

Louise de la Vallière (Oxford World's Classics)
Twenty Years After (Oxford World's Classics)
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The Three Musketeers (Modern Library Classics)
The Count of Monte Cristo (Tor Classics)

ASIN: 0192838423

Book Description

One of France's best-selling writers at the time of the novel's composition, Dumas here combines what he considered to be life's essentials - `l'action et l'amour'. This historical romance is the climax of his epic of chivalry and valour that began with The Three Musketeers, and it is here that Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and their friend d'Artagnan, once invincible, meet their destinies. This edition provides background information and notes crucial to an understanding of the legend and the novel's setting.

Customer Reviews:

Who was the man in the iron mask?.......2006-05-27

In life, he was sentenced to a cruel fate--in death, he would become a legend. Alexandre Dumas tells the tale of the mysterious man who was imprisoned in the Bastille starting in the 168o's until his death some thirty years later. During that time his face had been hidden by an iron mask. While his identity remains a mystery, there are some tantalizing clues which might remove the mask from the man. Most prisoners of the French prison were usually important people who had fallen out of favor with King Louis XIV. Given strict orders by the king, the Musketeers were to kill him if he removed his mask. He ate in the mask, slept in the mask, and eventually died in the mask.

In 1717, Voltaire was imprisoned at the Bastille. According to him, the man in the iron mask was around 60 when he died, and bore a striking resemblance to a very famous aristocrat. Of course, the most famous aristocrat in France at that time was King Louis XIV, who was also in his 60's. Another prisoner at the Bastille, Joseph de Lagrange, asserted that Benigne d'Auvergne de Saint, the governor of Sainte Marguerite, treated the mystery man deferentially and referred to him as 'prince'.

Stories about the mysterious prisoner are conflicting. Some state that he wore a mask of velvet, not iron. Evidence has surfaced saying that the prisoner was buried under the name M. de Marchiel. And later, a death certificate giving the prisoner's name as Marchioly and his age of 45 was found.
Another states, that in 1789 Frederic Grimm, a famous writer, claimed that a valet had revealed to him that Louis XIV had an identical twin. And that Louis XIII, feared the brothers would grow up to fight over the throne, so he sent the second-born baby away to be raised in secret.

The boy was taken into a nobleman's household and treated with great respect, but he was never told who he really was. As he grew up, he saw a portrait of King Louis XIV and guessed the truth. He was immediately arrested, and spent the rest of his life as the Man in the Iron Mask. Many people believed this to be false, and believe it was elaborated and embroidered by Alexandre Dumas as the years passed. It has been said that when the Bastille was stormed by a revolutionary mob, the prince's skeleton was discovered, still wearing his iron mask. Of course, there is no record that this actually happened.

The Final Bow of the Musketeers.......2005-08-15

Before you start this book you should know that any resemblance between the book and the movies that Hollywood has turned out is completely accidental. The names of the main characters are about the only similarity that I could find and as is the norm, the book was much better.

This, the last installment in the Musketeer series, gives us the story of the final acts of our heroes, Athos, Porthos, Aramis and D'Artagnan. Unlike many literary characters our Musketeer friends have aged as the story progresses and have all retired but D'Artagnan who is still the Captain of the King's Musketeers. Athos and Porthos are quite wealthy and Aramis has attained the rank of Bishop. Aramis is not content with his station however and knows a secret that he thinks he can use to become Pope. This secret is the knowledge that Louis XIV has a twin brother who is hidden away in the Bastille and Aramis is quite sure that this brother would make a better King than the current monarch. Aramis is also pretty sure that the new King in gratitude will nominate his liberator for the office of Cardinal and then will scheme to make the new Cardinal Pope.

In this plot Aramis acts alone except for some help from Porthos who has no idea what he is involved in. The twins are successfully switched for a short while but then the plot falls apart and Aramis and Porthos flee for their lives although Porthos is still not sure what is going on. The "pretender" to the throne is left to his own devices by Aramis and is imprisoned in a new location with the iron mask added to his discomfiture. Aramis does not come across in this book as much of a hero and in many respects this story is much darker than it's predecessors.

Given the advanced age of the Musketeers, there are not nearly as many swashbuckling adventures as one is accustomed to but on occasion Porthos in particular will rise to the challenge. The political intrigues of the Court of Louis XIV and the decline of the Musketeers are in fact the main plot lines of this story. In the end, only one of the four is left and to find out which one you will just have to read the book. Athos, by the way, only seems to play a side role in this story and is neither involved in the plot against the King or in his rescue.

As is always the case, Dumas' writing style is superb and is filled with historical fact. He does tend to be a bit wordy and his books are often much longer than necessary but even with this slight drawback he ranks as one of my all-time favorite authors. In this book Dumas closes out the careers of his most popular characters and he does it with style.

No One Can Write a More Thrilling Story than Dumas.......2005-05-05

Having just spent the last few months reading all five books in the Three Musketeer series, the following are my suggestions.

1. Read all five books in order. The Man in the Iron Mask is probably enjoyable on its own but reading the four books that proceed it help place the story in its proper context. Think of the Man in the Iron Mask as the dessert in a five course meal. Dessert is great but the four proceeding course are also enjoyable. Getting to the end of the book was especially enjoyable knowing that I was finishing a 3,500 page experience.

2. Read the Oxford University editions. There are wonderful end notes that help the reader keep track of the characters and events. When you read 3,500 pages you need that type of assistance to keep things straight. The Introductions are also very well written and help the reader get back into focus before beginning the next chapter.

3. If you really like any one book in particular, go to the internet and purchase a well illustrated used hardback edition for your collection. I purchased a used Three Musketeers with illustrations by Maurice Leloir. The three hundred plus illustrations make that edition especially enjoyable.

Along with Sir Walter Scott, Alexandre Dumas created the genre of the historical adventure novel. I have been reading these types of novels my entire life. Beyond a doubt, Alexandre Dumas is the master virtuoso of this genre.

The end of a trilogy.......2005-01-27

The Man in the Iron Mask is not actually a book -- it is the last volume of a very large book entitled Le Vicomte du Bragalonne or Ten Years After. Le Vicomte is divided into three parts, typically called "Le Vicomte du Bragalonne," "Louise de la Valliere", and of course, "The Man in the Iron Mask."

Thus, if you read only this book, don't be surprised that it sometimes seems you are catching only the end of a conversation.

The larger work, Le Vicomte, is named after Athos's son, and it follows the young vicomte through his life and love -- taking large detours to a young Louis the XIV's court. Our heroic musketeers, Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and d'Artagnan make only small appearances throughout, but these scenes are the most memorable of the musketeers series.

The Man in the Iron Mask brings our four fast friends together again, for one last adventure. This time, though, they are at odds with one another, divided by their own key character traits.

I have personally seen several movie versions of the Man in the Iron Mask, and I have never seen one I liked. Skip the movies -- read the book. And if you find yourself entranced, go get the first two volumes, and enjoy!

This is the end...beautiful friend..........2004-12-17

After writing The Three Musketeers and Twenty Years after, Dumas wrote a third installment to the trilogy. It is probably the most controvercial book in the trilogy, as can be revealed by reading many of the reviews. For starters, it's LONG: over 200 chapters. As a result, the English-speaking world has split it into three books: The Vicomte de Bragelonne, Louise de la Valiere and The Man in the Iron Mask (the most famous volume). The length is certainly a problem, in fact is it THE major flaw in the conclusion of the trilogy. Dumas is never terse or concise, but in this three-part book, he produces an monolith. This was largely due to him overcomitting himself and having to write this much for financial reasons. However, while this is a major setback, the three books still have elements of great, almost sublime Dumas left in them, which can be extracted if approached in the right way.

In terms of this specific volume (The Man in the Iron Mask), this is where the Four come back into play after a long absence during Louise de la Valliere. Also, as could be expected, they come to meet their destinies and indeed, their deaths. The title of the book derives from Dumas tying in to the popular conspiracy theory of the historical man in the iron mask as being some important figure, to his writing about Louis XIV's court. In the book therefore, the man is the king's identical twin brother, who was imprisoned to prevent the potentiality for a scuffle for the throne and/or civil war (and no, I wasn't wrong to "ruin" it as his identity is already mentioned in Louise de la Valliere - and if you have not read that or the series up to this point, PLEASE do so - although only the Three Musketeers and this volume are commonly known, they are all great, and necessary to enjoy this book). But like usual, there are many other exploits, triumphs and tragedies. Why is this the title then? I think the whole trilogy sees the escalation of the role of the Musketeers as being behind national affairs, and the possibility of usurpation found in a twin exceeds them all and lets them go out with a bang.

If you only expect more action involving the Four, then don't bother reading this at all. However, if you persevere, you will get to see sublime glimpses of what a long way the Musketeers of old have come (for better or worse), what they think about the entire society they live in and what Dumas thinks. As well as some of the old-fashioned-style adventure. I think that the fact that this is obscured by an overly-drawn-out style, while annoying, does not detract from this being an honourable conclusion to the trilogy.

Some didn't like the ending to the whole saga. I did, although some chapters at the end could have been edited out completely. The reason is that by now, I as a reader felt quite close to all the former Musketeers and this book shows the twilight of their life, shows them for who they are. Aramis as having somewhat fallen from honour by excessive manipulation and scheming that escalates to a shattering climax, Porthos as simple yet good-natured and always ready to help, d'Artagnan as the forceful man embittered by decades of serving asses and Athos and Raoul as the ever-solid rocks of calm finally reached by tragedy. They've all come a long way and the as they fade into the next world, this volume reminds us fondly of them and the chivalry, adventure, arrogance, good-humour and intrigue that they and the series stand for.

The Man in the Iron Mask (Penguin Classics)

Average customer rating:

Tabloid-style historical novel
Good but expected more
Definitely isn't the movie...

The Man in the Iron Mask (Penguin Classics)
Alexandre Dumas père
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

The Count of Monte Cristo (Penguin Classics)
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Twenty Years After (Oxford World's Classics)
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Louise de la Vallière (Oxford World's Classics)

ASIN: 0140439242
Release Date: 2003-03-25

Book Description

In the Musketeers' final adventure, D'Artagnan remains in the service of the corrupt King Louis XIV after the Three Musketeers have retired and gone their separate ways. Meanwhile, a mysterious prisoner in an iron mask wastes away deep inside the Bastille. When the destinies of king and prisoner converge, the Three Musketeers and D'Artagnan find themselves caught between conflicting loyalties.

Introduction by Francine du Plessix Gray
Translated by Joachim Neugroschel

Customer Reviews:

Tabloid-style historical novel.......2006-08-17

This one's a real curate's egg. Buy this if you love a good historical yarn, constant plot development, intrigue and speculation on one of the great periods and what-ifs of any period in any country's history. It's a page-turner and lovely if it catches you in the right mood.

Do not buy this if you're more the sort that doesn't care so much what happens as how it's described. Character development is limited and nobody really comes to life in true 3-D, which would have been the making of this novel. On the other hand some of the intrigue we see is quite nicely developed.

I am the sort who likes to have a few books on the go at once and to deliberate over things and savour the status quo at any point, always expecting never to re-read (I'm sure you're thrilled at this insight). I must say that menas I've tended to hurry to another book from this one and it's not holding my attention. It reads like a play and would have been better in that format, but by trying to have a main plot and subplot it all reads too cleanly.

If you really love the genre of historical novels nothing quite beats 'The Leopard' by Lampedusa, but it's more after my likes. I wish this book were really about something, be it "How far it is possible in politics to achieve what you want with a bi of talent and status" but other books do much better and this doesn't have such lofty ambitions.

Ultimately, some good effects but really unmemorable.

Good but expected more.......2006-03-20

I saw and loved the movie so I just had to get the book to compare, books are usually better. The problem is that it doesn't compare, the stories are totally different. That being the case the book was interesting, exciting at some points and a little difficult to understand because of the era in which it was written. It has little to do with the "man" in the iron mask and it is more an extension of the Three Musketeers.

Definitely isn't the movie..........2004-09-29

Having just finished The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers, I ventured to find more books from the wonderful author Alexandre Dumas, and stumbled upon this book, which is one in the Three Musketeers series. It takes place while the three (well, really FOUR) musketeers are no longer in their prime, and are becoming a bit aged, though not lacking whatsoever in wit or a thirst for adventure. OH, and a warning before I continue: if you are reading this book simply because you saw the movie, enjoyed it, and would like to see if the book is similar, do NOT expect them to be similar in very many ways at all. In fact, the movie would only be a portion of the book, and quite altered in many parts. However, if you are simply reading this book for the sake of enjoying it, read it! The title of the book may be a bit misleading, for it only refers to the first half of the actual book, but that doesn't matter--the book itself is wonderful. Summaries are easy to obtain, and so I shall not bore anyone with a summary, but I shall say this: the ending(s?!?) made me cry more than I had cried in a long time. Perhaps I was only feeling sensitive that day; but the book, it was truly sad at the end...this book is the end of the Three Musketeers, and a memorable one it is indeed.

Louise de la Vallière (Oxford World's Classics)

Average customer rating:

Highly enjoyable intrigue
The Musketeers Dissapear
See into glittering opulence
EXCELLENT
Is just a part of the last book of the musketeers

Louise de la Vallière (Oxford World's Classics)
Alexandre Dumas père
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback