Reading Treasure

New Blog Announcement: Inviting History - my new book review blog for the forgotten and unique.

2012-03-02T13:36:00.000-08:00

I've been working for several weeks on setting up a new book review blog which is dedicated to those especially interesting history books: Inviting History.

Inviting History is dedicated to books about the forgotten, the overlooked, the frequently passed-over, the surprising and the unique. Each week there will be a new inviting history book review, and I also hope to share plenty of my unique history book finds as well.

Thanks for looking!

Book Review: Versailles by Valérie Bajou

2012-02-18T15:20:00.000-08:00

[A review copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher at my request.]

Versailles is one of the world's most glittering treasures, both a remnant of ancient royal power and a modern museum which entices millions of tourists to walk inside its gilded walls every year. It comes as no surprise, then, that new photo-books about Versailles are being published almost every year. The newest photography book dedicated to this incomparable palace is the aptly named Versailles by Valérie Bajou, which is set to be published by Abrams in March 2012.

Versailles doubles as a photography book and an introduction to the palace of Versailles with a particular focus on the many renovations and construction that has made the palace what it is today.

The history aspect of the book begins with the palace's transformation from a royal hunting lodge into a magnificant palace by Louis XIV, and covers the construction (and demolishing) that continued through the reigns of Louis XV and the ill-fated Louis XVI. As the book relates, the palace was left surprisingly intact during the French Revolution, although many monograms and other symbols of royalty were torn down or defaced. In the years between the Revolution and the end of the Bourbon reign with the July Revolution, the palace underwent still more transformations, although none nearly as dramatic as what was to come during the reign of the People's King. It may come as a surprise to some readers just how much the palace has been deconstructed and constructed over the years, especially during the reign of Louis-Philippe, "the people's King" who turned tore down walls and staircases in his effort to turn the palace of Versailles into a people's museum. And finally, the renovations of Pierre de Nolhac, who was determined to restore the palace to its 18th century splendor, are explored and related to how the palace is maintained and restored today.

Photographically, the book covers the main areas of the palace itself, the palace gardens, both Trianons and the Queen's hamlet. Most of the photographs are taken within the past two years or so and are of a nice, crisp quality. The layout of the photography pages in the book typically feature a photograph on one page, with the artist and historical information (such as the date of the construction or piece) on the other page. There is a wonderful two-page spread of the artwork on the ceiling of the Hall of Mirrors, which folds out to reveal more up close and detailed images. Overall, the photography of the book is worthwhile to see for fans of Versailles or new readers, although my one complaint would be that the Trianons and the Queen's Hamlet only received about 40 pages of coverage in the book. I would have loved to see more of them! However, I really appreciated that the book preceded most areas of the palace or its gardens with historical information.

There are many photography books about Versailles currently on the book market today. So, what makes Versailles by Valérie Bajou different from the rest? For one, the unique author perspective. Valérie Bajou is a curator at the palace of Versailles and offers interesting insight into the renovations of the palace and the history of various rooms and areas of the palace and the palace grounds. Bajou provides a refreshing insight about the palace without simply repeating what is said in every other book about Versailles. Secondly, the book itself. I am a monumental fan of beautiful books, and Versailles the book is almost as lavish and stunning as the palace itself. I'm not exaggerating when I say that I gasped when I unwrapped the package this book arrived in. The pages are gilt-edged, the cover features gold foil lettering and is tinted with a beautiful gold sheen that really can't be captured in the above stock photograph. It is really a beautiful book, which is especially fitting for the subject matter.

Overall, I would recommend Versailles to people who love a beautifully bound photography book, to new readers who want to get a general overview of the main areas of the palace and its history and to anyone looking for the unique insight of a curator to the palace. The book is set to be released on March 1, 2012.

Upcoming Release: The Time-Traveling Fashionista at the Palace of Marie Antoinette by Bianca Turetsky

2012-02-15T23:25:00.000-08:00

The Time-Traveling Fashionista at the Palace of Marie Antoinette by Bianca Turetsky (September 18, 2012)

Amazon.com Description:

What if a beautiful dress could take you back in time?

Louise Lambert's best friend's thirteenth birthday party is fast approaching, so of course the most important question on her mind is, "What am I going to wear?!" Slipping on an exquisite robin's egg blue gown during another visit to the mysterious Traveling Fashionista Vintage Sale, Louise finds herself back in time once again, swept up in the glory of palace life, fancy parties, and enormous hair as a member of the court of France's most infamous queen, Marie Antoinette.

But between cute commoner boys and glamorous trips to Paris, life in the palace isn't all cake and couture. Can Louise keep her cool-and her head!-as she races against the clock to get home?

Upcoming Releases: Versailles by Valérie Bajou and The Palace of Versailles by Christian Heinrich

2012-02-09T12:09:00.000-08:00

Versailles by Valérie Bajou (March 1, 2012)

A spectacularly opulent relic of royal wealth and power comes alive in Versailles. Highlighting the château’s vibrant, tumultuous past, the book covers everything from its metamorphosis from humble hunting lodge to palace, to the dismantling of its collections during the French Revolution and its restoration and status as a UNESCO World Heritage site today. In addition, the singular château is explored from top to bottom in an extravagantly extensive photographic tour that reveals the many priceless artistic and architectural treasures of this palace of palaces.

The Palace of Versailles by Christian Heinrich (June 1, 2012)

Spend a day with the Sun King, Louis XIV, in his magnificent palace. Afterwards take a walk in the huge palace gardens adorned with splendid statues and magnificent fountains. A center gatefold highlights the Hall of Mirrors.

Upcoming Release: Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow by Juliet Grey

2012-01-29T14:47:00.000-08:00

Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow: A Novel of Marie Antoinette is the second book in Juliet Grey's Marie Antoinette trilogy. The cover was released a few days ago (showing clear inspiration from the Vogue photoshoot for Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette film!) and the book is expected to be released on May 15th, 2012.

Amazon.com synopsis:

A captivating novel of rich spectacle and royal scandal, Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow spans fifteen years in the fateful reign of Marie Antoinette, France’s most legendary and notorious queen.

Paris, 1774. At the tender age of eighteen, Marie Antoinette ascends to the French throne alongside her husband, Louis XVI. But behind the extravagance of the young queen’s elaborate silk gowns and dizzyingly high coiffures, she harbors deeper fears for her future and that of the Bourbon dynasty.

From the early growing pains of marriage to the joy of conceiving a child, from her passion for Swedish military attaché Axel von Fersen to the devastating Affair of the Diamond Necklace, Marie Antoinette tries to rise above the gossip and rivalries that encircle her. But as revolution blossoms in America, a much larger threat looms beyond the gilded gates of Versailles—one that could sweep away the French monarchy forever.

Brief Book Recommendations: Louis XVI

2012-01-21T13:20:00.000-08:00

Louis XVI: The Silent King by John Hardman

Louis XVI is frequently portrayed as a weak and lazy king, dominated by his wife and ministers. John Hardman, who has written an earlier biography of Louis XVI, challenges this stereotype by drawing in evidence from Louis XVI's own letters and other contemporary source material. A fresh and important look at Louis XVI.

The King's Trial: Louis XVI vs. The French Revolution by David P. Jordan

An account of the political turmoil behind the trial of Louis XVI which considers the trial and execution of the king and important historical moment, rather than a simple episode of the French Revolution. The 25th anniversary edition provides a new preface which considers new scholarship on the trial and how the trial of Louis XVI fits into contemporary context.

Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette Before the Revolution; Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette During the Revolution by Nesta Webster

A two volume study of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette which primarily seeks to correct the abundance of poor scholarship and myth that surrounds the royal couple. Although Webster occasionally delves into conspiracy theories regarding the Revolution itself, her study of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette is an essential one.

When the King Took Flight by Timothy Tackett

A gripping account of the royal family's flight to Montmedy, which argues that the royal family's flight transformed the popular attitude of the public towards the king and helped pave the way for the Reign of Terror by inflaming fears of foreign invasion and royal conspiracy.

The Deaths of Louis XVI: Regicide and the French Political Imagination by Susan Dunn

The death of Louis XVI inspired a variety of conflicted view and memory: Jacobins viewed his death as the coronation of the people, royalists viewed it as an example of utmost horror. In the 19th century, it was viewed both as martyrdom and an inevitable consequence of the Revolution. Today, Louis XVI's death still inspires a host of reactions and mythology. Dunn examies how the memory of his death has changed over two centuries and how his death (and the French's vision of it) has affected France even today.

Release date corrections and some new upcoming releases

2012-01-18T17:59:00.000-08:00

The following are some corrected dates for Upcoming/New Releases:

A New Dictionary of the French Revolution by Richard Ballard (November 15, 2011)

Citoyennes: Women and the Ideal of Citizenship in Eighteenth-Century France by Annie K. Smart (Dec. 16, 2011)

The Perfect Foil: Francois-Andre Vincent and the Revolution in French Painting by Elizabeth C. Mansfield (Dec. 22, 2011)

The Reign of Terror in America: Visions of Violence from Anti-Jacobinism to Antislavery by Rachel Hope Cleves [New Paperback Edition] (Jan. 12, 2012)

Royal Censorship of Books in Eighteenth-Century France by Raymond Birn (Feb. 1, 2012)

Bastards: Politics, Family, and Law in Early Modern France by Matthew Gerber (Feb 1, 2012)

Robespierre: A Revolutionary Life by Peter McPhee (March 13, 2012)

Welsh Ballads of the French Revolution by Ffion Mair Jones (Apr. 15, 2012)

Staging the French Revolution: Cultural Politics and the Paris Opera, 1789-1794 by Mark Darlow (April 25, 2012)

A Wicked Company: The Forgotten Radicalism of the European Enlightenment by Philipp Blom [New Paperback Edition] (May 18, 2012)

JEAN PAUL MARAT: Tribune of the French Revolution (Revolutionary Lives) by Clifford Connor (May 22, 2012)

Making Way for Genius: The Aspiring Self in France from the Old Regime to the New by Kathleen Kete (May 29, 2012)

In Defence of the Terror: Liberty or Death in the French Revolution by Sophie Wahnich and Slavoj Zizek (August 2, 2012)

Narrative Responses to the Trauma of the French Revolution (Legenda Main Series) by Katherine Astbury (August 30, 2012)

And here are some additional releases in Non-Fiction and Fiction:

Fiction

Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow: A Novel of Marie Antoinette by Juliet Grey (May 15, 2012)

Paris, 1774. At the tender age of eighteen, Marie Antoinette ascends to the French throne alongside her husband, Louis XVI. But behind the extravagance of the young queen’s elaborate silk gowns and dizzyingly high coiffures, she harbors deeper fears for her future and that of the Bourbon dynasty.

From the early growing pains of marriage to the joy of conceiving a child, from her passion for Swedish military attaché Axel von Fersen to the devastating Affair of the Diamond Necklace, Marie Antoinette tries to rise above the gossip and rivalries that encircle her. But as revolution blossoms in America, a much larger threat looms beyond the gilded gates of Versailles—one that could sweep away the French monarchy forever.

Non-Fiction

A Wicked Company: The Forgotten Radicalism of the European Enlightenment by Philipp Blom [New Paperback Edition] (May 18, 2012)

A Wicked Company tells the remarkable story of Baron Thierry Holbach’s Parisian salon, an epicenter of freethinking that brought together the greatest minds of the 18th century. Over wine-soaked dinner parties, the finest intellectuals of the Western world—figures such as Denis Diderot, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, David Hume, Adam Smith, Horace Walpole, and Benjamin Franklin—matched wits and scandalized one another with their own ever-more-provocative ideas. Writers of genius all, full of wit and courage (but also personal contradictions, doubts, conflicts of conscience, and their fair share of open arguments and love affairs), this group of friends embodied an astonishing radicalism in European thought, so uncompromising and bold that its bracing, liberating, humanist vision has still not been fully realized. As acclaimed historian Philipp Blom shows, these thinkers’ analysis of our culture remains as valid as it was then, and has lost little of its potential to shock—or to force us to confront with new eyes debates about our society and its future.

Narrative Responses to the Trauma of the French Revolution (Legenda Main Series)
by Katherine Astbury (August 30, 2012)

During the French Revolution, traditional literary forms such as the sentimental novel and the moral tale dominate literary production. At first glance, it might seem that these texts are unaffected by the upheavals in France; in fact they reveal not only a surprising engagement with politics but also an internalised emotional response to the turbulence of the period. In this innovative and wide-ranging study, Katherine Astbury uses trauma theory as a way of exploring the apparent contradiction between the proliferation of non-political literary texts and the events of the Revolution. Through the narratives of established bestselling literary figures of the Ancien Regime (primarily Marmontel, Madame de Genlis and Florian), and the early works of first generation Romantics Madame de Stael and Chateaubriand, she traces how the Revolution shapes their writing, providing an intriguing new angle on cultural production of the 1790s.Katherine Astbury is Senior Lecturer in French Studies at the University of Warwick.

In Defence of the Terror: Liberty or Death in the French Revolution by Sophie Wahnich and Slavoj Zizek (August 2, 2012)

For two hundred years after the French Revolution, the Republican tradition celebrated the execution of princes and aristocrats, defending the Terror that the Revolution inflicted upon on its enemies. But recent decades have brought a marked change in sensibility. The Revolution is no longer judged in terms of historical necessity but rather by “timeless” standards of morality. In this succinct essay, Sophie Wahnich explains how, contrary to prevailing interpretations, the institution of Terror sought to put a brake on legitimate popular violence—in Danton’s words, to “be terrible so as to spare the people the need to be so”—and was subsequently subsumed in a logic of war. The Terror was “a process welded to a regime of popular sovereignty, the only alternatives being to defeat tyranny or die for liberty.”

Brief Book Recommendations: Caricatures in the French Revolution

2012-01-10T15:45:00.000-08:00

The Wicked Queen: The Origins of the Myth of Marie Antoinette by Chantal Thomas

An exploration of how Marie Antoinette's public image transformed from a compassionate angelic dauphine to a bloodthirsty, evil, Austrian monster. Illustrated throughout and includes some translations of printed libels.

Taking Liberties: Satirical Prints of the French Revolution by Jean Paul Pitton

The album for a 1989 French exhibition showcases a wide variety of Satirical Prints from the revolutionary period, featuring illustrations (some in color) and a brief study of revolutionary caricature.

French Caricature and the French Revolution, 1789 - 1799 by James Cuno

A study on French Revolution caricatures, published in conjunction with a 1989 California exhibition on the French Revolution. Illustrations are primarily b&w.

Symbol and Satire in the French Revolution by Ernest F. Henderson

A text heavy work discussing the impact of symbolism and satire, as used in caricatures, during the French Revolution. This book is public domain.

Face a face: French and English caricatures of the French Revolution and its aftermath by James A. Leith

Another book which coincided with a 1989 exhibition, this book is dedicated both to French and English caricatures depicting the French Revolution. A nice comparison of how the French represented themselves and how the English represented the French.

Book Review: The Expert Cook in Enlightenment France by Sean Takats

2012-01-04T15:55:00.000-08:00

[I was given a review copy of this book by the publisher upon my request.]

The Expert Cook in Enlightenment France by Sean Takats fills a much needed gap in 18th century studies by exploring the history of cooks in 18th century France. There has been much written about French food and cooking methods during this period, but precious little has been published about the people behind the food. Takats places the French cook back into the spotlight, providing a concise and informative overview on cooks, their work, their precarious role in society and how they hoped to strengthen that role through cooking during the Enlightenment.

Cooks, as Takats explains, held a unique place in 18th century society. Both men and women worked as cooks, and unlike other occupations which were primarily male or female, cooking was seen as neither masculine or feminine. The occupation of a cook was not entirely domestic, like a house servant, or entirely professional, like an architect. This in-between occupation created a greater degree of autonomy and freedom for cooks when it came to looking for employment. They often bargained with employers for wages and other benefits, and had much more freedom when working in the home than a typical domestic house servant. Cooks also published cookbooks, recipes and other instruction manuals, which was not common outside of 'behavior' manuals written with domestic servants in mind.

However, their role in society was at times contradictory. Although employers gave cooks much freer 'reign' than a typical house servant, cooks were greatly mistrusted. Satirical prints and stories about dirty, evil, and sexually promiscuous cooks abounded in 18th century France. Cooks intended to improve their status by reforming methods of cooking, recipes, and the kitchen itself, however these reforms only inspired greater suspicion of cooks and cooking. When 'modern cuisine' was developed, it was intended to showcase the power that cooking and food could have on the body and establish cooking as a legitimate science. These attempts to establish the importance of cooking only caused greater problems - after all, reason followed that if food could be used to improve health, it could cause destruction and death as well. The poor reputation of cooks at the time only helped to strengthen the stereotype of the cook as a dangerous, secretive person. Unfortunately, efforts by cooks to improve their reputation in society generally fueled the suspicion and derision he general populace held for them. However, despite this setback, cooks played an important role with 18th century society and used the Enlightenment to help pave the way for French cooking as we know it today.

It is a slimmer book - about 145 pages of text - but it provides a good overview of the role of cooks during this period and Takats' writing is academic but accessible enough for the general reader to enjoy. It was a surprising read for me, as I hadn't thought about cooks during this time period as anything other than a typical servant. It was enlightening to read about their unique position, and the surprising poor reputation that cooks had in society. I definitely recommend it for 18th century libraries, French studies libraries, and anyone particularly interested in the role of cooks during the 18th century.

Brief Book Recommendations: The Petit Trianon

2011-12-15T21:13:00.000-08:00

Dairy Queens: The Politics of Pastoral Architecture from Catherine de' Medici to Marie-Antoinette by Meredith Martin

Dairy Queens places the pleasure dairies owned French royalty back in their proper historical context by tracing the origins of the pleasure dairy back to early modern France, exploring the social and political ramifications and meanings behind the buildings all the way through Marie Antoinette's infamous Trianon dairies and the place of the pleasure dairy today.

Views and Plans of the Petit Trianon at Versailles by Emmanuel Ducamp

A semi-reproduction of the albums with views and plans of the Petit Trianon that Marie Antoinette had bound and sent to family, friends and other European leaders as gifts.

The Private Realm of Marie Antoinett e by Marie-France Boyer

A photo book which documents the private side of Marie Antoinette's realm at the Petit Trianon, featuring a general information about the Trianon and Marie Antoinette's life there, while showcasing the lovely photos of Francois Halard.

The Trianon of Marie Antoinette by Pierre de Nolhac

A wonderful little book about the Petit Trianon written by this master French historian, chock full of interesting information about the fate of the Trianon after the 18th century as well as the lifestyle it harbored in the years before the revolution.

Marie-Antoinette and the Last Garden at Versailles by Christian Duvernois and Francois Halard

The story of Marie Antoinette's private domain as told by garden expert Christian Duvernois, enhanced by Francois Halard's gorgeous and detailed photographs.

Brief Book Recommendations: Madame du Barry

2011-12-10T14:21:00.000-08:00

Madame du Barry: The Wages of Beauty by Joan Haslip

A brief and sympathetic biography of the infamous last mistress of Louis XV. This work is best used as a character study of du Barry, rather than a strict resource on her life, as Haslip has a tendency to fudge dates/events and does not cite her work.

Du Barry: A Biography by Stanley Loomis

A sympathetic biography of Jeanne Bécu, the comtesse du Barry, which primarily hopes to correct some of the myths and misconceptions about the life of this infamous courtesan. Although Loomis is definitely biased in favor of Madame du Barry, his work on her life is more reliable than the other readly available English biography by Haslip.

Merry Antoinette: A Marie Antoinette Gift Guide for 2011

2011-12-01T17:21:00.000-08:00

"Merry" Antoinette: A Marie Antoinette Christmas Guide Guide for 2011

Christmas is the season for gifts and giving, and what better gift for that special 18th century history lover than a little bit of Marie Antoinette?

I had so much fun putting together a Marie Antoinette Christmas gift guide last year that there was no question of doing another Christmas post with plenty of Marie Antoinette Christmas gifts for your friends, family, and hey, maybe even a little something for yourself!

NOTE: The stars are not with me today! I was proofreading this guide when I discovered that the Chateau de Versailles boutique is shutting its online doors until the new year, when it will be re-opened. I apologize for this inconvenience.

Home Decor and Accessories

Marie Antoinette's private rooms were her sanctuary, a place to retreat with her favorites from the exhaustive court at Versailles. Why not spice up your own sanctuary with some home accessories fit for the queen?

Jules Pansu designed this lovely brown cushion cover to reflect the personality of Marie Antoinette through its warm colors, elegant style, and bold use of one of her monograms contrasted by a feminine red. If you're in the mood for something a little more subtle, this floral cushion cover from the Boutiques de Musees bears the design of one of the wall hangings set in the Queen's Bedroom at the chateau de Fontainebleau. And what living sofa or bed would be complete without a monogrammed cushion inspired by floral detail from Marie Antoinette's own headboard?

But maybe you're looking for a Marie Antoinette home accessory gift that is more functional. Look no further than these practical but still pretty gifts.

Marie Antoinette loved to entertain, although she never had to worry about the effects of soda cans set on her fine tables! You can be both stylish and reassured with these charming Marie Antoinette inspired cork coasters.Both can be purchased at the Boutiques de Musees.

Jean-Michel Bouleau's exclusive collection for the Chateau de Versailles boutique includes an abundance of beautiful and useful Marie Antoinette monogram inspired items. My favorites in the line include this strikingly pink Marie Antoinette umbrella, which will really make a splash (no rain pun intended!) with its bold colors and fine detail. You can brighten up your kitchen with a fully usable pink Marie Antoinette tea towel. And this Marie Antoinette mouse pad will add that perfect touch of Marie Antoinette to your computer area with its simple monogrammed design.

Candles make wonderful ambiance for any home. These candles are sure to add a little of Versailles to your own chateau.

An elegant Trudon candle, directly inspired by a bust of Marie Antoinette, would make a perfect display for the holidays or a private party. Or why not try this striking scented candle, accented in gold with the main gates of Versailles? As an added bonus, it's scent is orange blossom, one of the favored perfumes of the French court. This porcelain candle is directly inspired by the designs used in one of Marie Antoinette's travel kits, and features a gold and floral pattern complete with the queen's elegant monogram.

Fashion and Fashion Accessories

Marie Antoinette's name will be forever intertwined with that of fashion, and there are countless fashionable Marie Antoinette items that make perfect gifts for that special someone. Jewelry, purses, and even dresses are just some of the gifts to choose from this holiday season.

If you want to get a little scandalous, why not gift a piece of jewelry inspired by something infamous? The "Queen's Necklace" line developed by the Grand Palais features several jewelry pieces inspired by the scandalous diamond necklace from The Diamond Necklace Affair. The pieces, which include a bracelet, a brooch and understated version of the necklace itself, are made from silvered brass wire, simulation gemstones, and pearls.

Carry the queen with you when you use this chic Marie Antoinette purse designed by Jules Pansu and matching carry bag. Both feature the white monogram of the queen on an elegant brown and red fabric background. And this black and white matching porcelain necklace will complete any queen-inspired look!

"The Trianon Gown" by vivelareine on Etsy is a wonderful and yet affordable dress inspired by the light, loose gowns favored by Marie Antoinette at her private retreat. Redthreaded on Etsy offers her own lovely take on the chemise gown, and offers alterations and custom features at an additional price. If you're shopping for a younger loved one, they're sure to love this pretty take on an 18th century gown by bonnybluearts on Etsy.

Bath & Beauty

Marie Antoinette loved to bathe, and often enhanced her baths with a variety of perfumed concotions. She, like most upper class women of her time, was also a frequent buyer of perfumes and perfumed goods. Treat yourself or a friend this year with these wonderful scents and bath treats!

With a name like Rose Queen, how can anyone resist? This new LUSH bath bomb is packed with beautiful rose petals and releases a rich floral fragrance in the water. If you're looking for perfume, LUSH carries an affordable solid Orange Blossom perfume stick. Orange blossom was one of Marie Antoinette's favored scents, and among the more popular scents at the court of Versailles. Marie Antoinette also enjoyed hints of vanilla in her perfumes, and this LUSH Vanilla puff dusting powder is a fun way to keep your skin soft and smelling sweet.

Lubin's Black Jade claims to be the revived formula of one of Marie Antoinete's perfumes, hidden away by Pierre Lubin, an apprentice to Marie Antoinette's favored perfumer, Jean-Louis Fargeon. Whether or not this tale is true, Black Jade is a rich perfume fit for royalty, and a great present for anyone who enjoys a full floral scent.

Books

There are so many books to be read about Marie Antoinette and her world, one could write a book solely of recommendations! Since that isn't quite practical, I'll stick to recommending some new books of interest.

The Expert Cook in Enlightenment France by Sean Takats is a new release dedicated to the men and women behind the French cuisine of the 18th century, showing how the cooks behind these meals worked and improved in the world of Enlightenment France. In Dairy Queens: The Politics of Pastoral Architecture from Catherine de Medici to Marie-Antoinette, Meredith Martin discusses the often ignored but essential history behind the royal and aristocratic pleasure dairies of France, providing new insight into Marie Antoinette's maligned Trianon dairy and more. If you're buying for a younger reader, or enjoy youth reads yourself, Marie Antoinette 'Madame Deficit' by Liz Hockinson is an excellent choice filled with interesting illustrations and a balanced look at the queen's life..Juliet Grey's new novel, Becoming Marie Antoinette, is the first in a new trilogy about Marie Antoinette and is an excellent choice for historical fiction readers.

This concludes my 2011 holiday guide! I hope you've found something you or a loved one will enjoy, and Ibe sure to check back for Marie Antoinette book bargains and news in the coming holiday season!

Book Recommendations: Maria Theresa

2011-11-29T15:20:00.000-08:00

Just a few quick recommendations for books about Maria Theresa.

Maria Theresa by Edward Crankshaw

A book that might be better described as the "Times of Maria Theresa" than a strict biography, Crankshaw delved into the Vienna archives to give readers a look into the social and political worlds behind the only woman to rule the Habsburg lands.

Empress Maria Theresa: The Earlier Years by Robert Pick

Pick's biographical study on Maria Theresa presents her significant history through a parrellel of her personal life and the actions taken during her early reign.

Empress Maria Theresa and the Politics of Habsburg Imperial Art by Micheal Yonan

Maria Theresa played a pivitol role in the development of artistic culture in the 18th century. She used artistic culture - such as paintings, gardens, sculptures and decorative objects - both as means to strengthen her multiple social roles as monarch, mother, wife and woman and to strengthen her position as the first female Habsburg ruler. By examining Maria Theresa's patronage and support of the arts, Yonan "demonstrates how women, art, and power interrelated in an unusual historical situation in which power was legitimated in women's terms."

The Emancipation of the Austrian Peasant, 1740-1798 by Edith Murr Link
The serf reforms initiated by Maria Theresa led to an 'emancipation' in the lives of the regular Austrian people. Link's work vividly describes the lives of the peasant in Austria before, during and after the reforms of Maria Theresa.

Book Review: Secrets of Versailles: The Palace and Beyond by Nicolas Jacquet

2011-11-21T20:00:00.000-08:00

[I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher upon request.]

"May readers understand that, behind the facades and the decors of the most beautiful palace in France, you can still sense the beating hearts of the men and women who once inhabited it and the history that unfolded there.

May they also understand that the palace is neither a dead site nor a placid memorial, but rather a living space which still aims to surpise and amaze visitors and fill them with wonder..."

So ends Jean-Jacques Aillagon's introduction to Secrets of Versailles: The Palace and Beyond by Nicolas Jacquet, a recent publication by Parigramme in partnership with the Chateau de Versailles. True to its title, the book is filled with secrets, surprises and tidbits about the history of Versailles and the people that once lived there.

There are about 200 or so entries in the book. The entries range from buildings to rooms to personal items and effects, such as the library of Madame du Barry, the last staircase ordered to be constructed by Louis XVI, and the "Treaty of Versailles" desk. Each entry also features one or more photographs of the place or item in question, a location for those who wish to visit and an asterisk (or double asterisk) to denote whether or not the entry is available for the public to see. Jacquet's writing is easily accessible in this English translations, and the photographs are well taken and printed nicely.

Some of the entries will be familiar to many, such as an entry for the Queen's village, while others are areas and items only available to those on private tours or not available to the public at all. My favorite entries were those offering those little secrets of life at Versailles, such as a view from the balcony at the Queen's House in the Petit Trianon, and the bathroom of the duchesse d'Angouleme during the Bourbon Restoration. Surprisingly, the book does not limit itself to the chateau of Versailles or its gardens, and extends its surprises to the city of Versailles, revealing many buildings and locations that are often ignored outright in many other books about Versailles. Those who might fear the book focuses solely on Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette need not worry, as the history discussed in the book ranges from Louis XIV all the way to the 20th century.

It's definitely a book I will keep in mind when I take my someday-soon trip to Versailles, and something I recommend for anyone interested in the history of the palace and the city, especially if you might be traveling there. I feel that knowing the history behind any location will make it all the more special. The human history behind locations can so often be lost when you're viewing them behind a computer screen or taking snapshots on a tour, but Secrets of Versailles really brings that history to the forefront, reminding us of the people and events that once passed through the city and palace of Versailles.

The book is available for purchase in English and French at the Chateau de Versailles boutique.

Upcoming Non-Fiction Books for 2011-2012

2011-11-20T15:58:00.000-08:00

2011-2012 is proving to be an interesting period for 18th century France related publications so far - new books on everything from cooks to the revolutionary opera to Welsh ballads! I have definitely found a few works I'm planning to read in 2012, and I hope you will as well. The books are organized by release date, and the descriptions are all from Amazon.com

The Expert Cook in Enlightenment France (The Johns Hopkins University Studies in Historical and Political Science) by Sean Takats

Release Date: November 24, 2011

In the eighteenth-century French household, the servant cook held a special place of importance, providing daily meals and managing the kitchen and its finances. In this scrupulously researched and witty history, Sean Takats examines the lives of these cooks as they sought to improve their position in society and reinvent themselves as expert, skilled professionals.

Much has been written about the cuisine of the period, but Takats takes readers down into the kitchen and introduces them to the men and women behind the food. It is only in that way, Takats argues, that we can fully recover the scientific and cultural significance of the meals they created, and, more important, the contributions of ordinary workers to eighteenth-century intellectual life. He shows how cooks, along with decorators, architects, and fashion merchants, drove France's consumer revolution, and how cooks' knowledge about a healthy diet and the medicinal properties of food advanced their professional status by capitalizing on the Enlightenment's new concern for bodily and material happiness.

Citoyennes: Women and the Ideal of Citizenship in Eighteenth-Century France by Annie K. Smart

Release Date: December 16, 2011

Contemporary critics have theorized that the eighteenth-century ideal of the Republic intentionally excluded women from the public sphere. According to this perspective, a discourse of “Rousseauean” domestic motherhood stripped women of an active civic identity, and limited their role to breastfeeding and childcare. Eighteenth-century France marked thus the division between a male public sphere of political action and a female private sphere of the home.

Citoyennes challenges this position and offers an alternative model of female identity. This interdisciplinary study brings together a variety of genres to demonstrate convincingly that women were portrayed as civic individuals. Using foundational texts such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s Emile, or on Education (1762), revolutionary gouaches of Lesueur, and vaudeville plays of Year II of the Republic (1793/1794), this study brilliantly shows that in text and image, women were represented as devoted to both the public good and their families.

Citoyennes breaks new ground, for it both rectifies the ideal of domestic Rousseauean motherhood, and brings a fuller understanding to how female civic identity operated in important French texts and images.

The Perfect Foil: Francois-Andre Vincent and the Revolution in French Painting by Elizabeth C. Mansfield

Release Date: December 22, 2011

Art history is haunted by the foil: the dark star whose diminished luster sets off another’s brilliance. Relegated to this role by modern historians of Revolutionary-era French art, François-André Vincent (1746–1816) is chiefly viewed in the reflection of his contemporary, Jacques-Louis David. The Perfect Foil frees Vincent from this distorting mirror. Offering a nuanced and historically accurate account of Vincent’s life and work, Elizabeth C. Mansfield reveals the artist’s profound influence on the visual culture of the French Revolution—and, paradoxically, on the art historical narrative that would consign him to obscurity.

By giving us a detailed and faithful portrait of this artist poised at the turning point of history, Mansfield restores a critically important body of work to its rightful place in the story of French art and reorients Revolutionary-era French art history toward a broader, more inclusive understanding of the period.

The Reign of Terror in America: Visions of Violence from Anti-Jacobinism to Antislavery by Rachel Hope Cleves [New Paperback Edition]

Release Date: January 12, 2012

When the French Revolution degenerated into violent factionalism and civil war during the early 1790s, American conservative northeasterners reacted in profound terror. Alarmed by the possibility that the United States would follow her "sister republic" into chaos and civic bloodshed, northern Federalists and their Congregationalist allies reacted by aggressively attacking the violence of the French Revolution and its supposed American votaries. The Reign of Terror in America argues that American fears of the violence of the French Revolution led to antislavery, antiwar, and public education movements in the nineteenth-century United States. It is the first history of how Americans perceived the Reign of Terror, and reveals how significantly fears of French Violence changed the United States. Ultimately, these fears inspired a stark opposition to the violence of slaveholding, provided material for dramatic attacks on southern slavery, and helped to spark the Civil War.

Bastards: Politics, Family, and Law in Early Modern France by Matthew Gerber

Release Date: January 16, 2012

Children born out of wedlock were commonly stigmatized as "bastards" in early modern France. Deprived of inheritance, they were said to have neither kin nor kind, neither family nor nation. Why was this the case? Gentler alternatives to "bastard" existed in early modern French discourse, and many natural parents voluntarily recognized and cared for their extramarital offspring.

Drawing upon a wide array of archival and published sources, Matthew Gerber has reconstructed numerous disputes over the rights and disabilities of children born out of wedlock in order to illuminate the changing legal condition and practical treatment of extramarital offspring over a period of two and half centuries. Gerber's study reveals that the exclusion of children born out of wedlock from the family was perpetually debated. bastardy had become largely archaic.

With a cast of characters ranging from royal bastards to foundlings, Bastards explores the relationship between social and political change in the early modern era, offering new insight into the changing nature of early modern French law and its evolving contribution to the historical construction of both the family and the state.

A New Dictionary of the French Revolution by Richard Ballard

Release Date: January 17, 2012

The French Revolution was a huge, brutal yet inspiring phenomenon that changed global political thinking and action, and its echoes resound even in the twenty-first century. It was an intensely complex mix of events, concepts and individuals and 'The New Dictionary' is an invaluable aid to unravelling its complications, and an essential companion for students and general readers alike. There are over 400 entries covering the main events, personalities, parties, ideologies, political ideas, philosophers, writers, artists, rebellions and wars, as well as touching on colonial and international developments, the interaction of church and state, science, law reform, events in the provinces and overseas territories and the reverberations in other European states. The Dictionary provides a full and vibrant history from the outbreak of revolution in 1789 to the Terror, the Revolutionary state, its wars and the rise of Napoleon. Entries contain much more than just bare factual information: they provide a detailed commentary and include suggestions for further reading - both in print and online - which reference the extensive literature of over 200 years of scholarship and the latest historiography. Cross-referencing is extensive and the index provides reference to minor but important subjects contained in main entries.

Royal Censorship of Books in Eighteenth-Century France by Raymond Birn

Release Date: February 1, 2012

Today, we are inclined to believe that intellectual freedom has no greater adversary than the censor. In eighteenth-century France, the matter was more complicated. Royal censors envisioned themselves not as fulfilling a mission of state-sponsored repression but rather as guiding the literary traffic of the Enlightenment. By awarding pre-publication and pre-distribution approvals, royal censors sought to insulate authors and publishers from the scandal of post-publication condemnation by parliaments, the police, or the Church. Less official authorizations were also awarded. Though censors did delete words and phrases from manuscripts and sometimes rejected manuscripts altogether, the liberal use of tacit permissions and conditional approvals resulted in the publication and circulation of books that, under a less flexible system, might never have seen the light of day. In essence, eighteenth-century French censors served as cultural intermediaries who bore responsibility for expanding public awareness of the progressive thought of their time.

Staging the French Revolution: Cultural Politics and the Paris Opera, 1789-1794 by Mark Darlow

Release Date: February 27, 2012

Over the last decade, the theatre and opera of the French Revolution have been the subject of intense scholarly reassessment, both in terms of the relationship between theatrical works and politics or ideology in this period and on the question of longer-scale structures of continuity or rupture in aesthetics. Staging the French Revolution: Cultural Politics and the Paris Opera, 1789-1794 moves these discussions boldly forward, focusing on the Paris Opéra (Académie Royale de Musique) in the cultural and political context of the early French Revolution. Both institutional history and cultural study, this is the first ever full-scale study of the Revolution and lyric theatre. The book concentrates on three aspects of how a royally-protected theatre negotiates the transition to national theatre: the external dimension, such as questions of ownership and governance and the institution's relationship with State institutions and popular assemblies; the internal management, finances, selection and preparation of works; and the cultural and aesthetic study of the works themselves and of their reception.

Robespierre: A Revolutionary Life by Peter McPhee

Release Date: February 28, 2012

For some historians and biographers, Maximilien Robespierre (1758–94) was a great revolutionary martyr who succeeded in leading the French Republic to safety in the face of overwhelming military odds. For many others, he was the first modern dictator, a fanatic who instigated the murderous Reign of Terror in 1793–94. This masterful biography combines new research into Robespierre's dramatic life with a deep understanding of society and the politics of the French Revolution to arrive at a fresh understanding of the man, his passions, and his tragic shortcomings.

Peter McPhee gives special attention to Robespierre's formative years and the development of an iron will in a frail boy conceived outside wedlock and on the margins of polite provincial society. Exploring how these experiences formed the young lawyer who arrived in Versailles in 1789, the author discovers not the cold, obsessive Robespierre of legend, but a man of passion with close but platonic friendships with women. Soon immersed in revolutionary conflict, he suffered increasingly lengthy periods of nervous collapse correlating with moments of political crisis, yet Robespierre was tragically unable to step away from the crushing burdens of leadership. Did his ruthless, uncompromising exercise of power reflect a descent into madness in his final year of life? McPhee reevaluates the ideology and reality of "the Terror," what Robespierre intended, and whether it represented an abandonment or a reversal of his early liberalism and sense of justice.

Welsh Ballads of the French Revolution by Ffion Mair Jones

Release Date: April 15, 2012

Welsh Ballads of the French Revolution provides for the first time an edition, with parallel English translations, of Welsh-language ballads composed in reaction to the momentous events of the Revolution in France and the two decades of war which followed. Ballad writers were first spurred to respond in 1793, when the French monarchs were executed, France declared war upon Britain, and paranoia regarding the possible threat of internal revolt in Britain reached a crisis point. As the decade proceeded, ballads were sung in thanks for the victory of British forces and local people against an invasion of Pembrokeshire by French troops, and in reaction to key naval battles and to the extensive mobilization of militia and volunteer forces. Scholars working on the British response to the Revolution have showed increasing interest in exploring the contents of ballads and songs. The ballad in particular is seen as a vital source of information, since it represents ordinary people's awareness of the developments of the period. Balladry is also subject to continued research within Welsh scholarship, and this volume, with its focus on a clearly defined historical period and its revelation of new voices within the canon of Welsh ballad writers, will drive this field of study forwards. Regional reactions to the Revolution within the British Isles are also now seen as crucially important, but Wales, partly because of the inaccessibility of material composed in the Welsh language, has repeatedly been omitted from the general picture. This volume aids in rectifying this situation, ensuring (by use of translation, copious contextualizing notes, and a lengthy introduction) that both the ballad genre and Welsh reactions receive the attention they deserve from the wider scholarly community.

JEAN PAUL MARAT: Tribune of the French Revolution (Revolutionary Lives) by Clifford Connor

Release Date: May 22, 2012

Jean-Paul Marat's role in the French Revolution has long been a matter of controversy among historians. Often he has been portrayed as a violent, sociopathic demagogue. This biography challenges that interpretation and argues that without Marat's contributions as an agitator, tactician, and strategist, the pivotal social transformation that the Revolution accomplished might well not have occurred. Clifford D. Conner argues that what was unique about Marat - which set him apart from all other major figures of the Revolution, including Danton and Robespierre - was his total identification with the struggle of the propertyless classes for social equality. This is an essential book for anyone interested in the history of the revolutionary period and the personalities that led it.

Making Way for Genius: The Aspiring Self in France from the Old Regime to the New by Kathleen Kete

Release Date: May 29, 2012

Examining the lives and works of three iconic personalities —Germaine de Staël, Stendhal, and Georges Cuvier—Kathleen Kete creates a groundbreaking cultural history of ambition in post-Revolutionary France. While in the old regime the traditionalist view of ambition prevailed—that is, ambition as morally wrong unless subsumed into a corporate whole—the new regime was marked by a rising tide of competitive individualism. Greater opportunities for personal advancement, however, were shadowed by lingering doubts about the moral value of ambition.

Kete identifies three strategies used to overcome the ethical “burden” of ambition: romantic genius (Staël), secular vocation (Stendhal), and post-mythic destiny (Cuvier). In each case, success would seem to be driven by forces outside one’s control. She concludes by examining the still relevant (and still unresolved) conundrum of the relationship of individual desires to community needs, which she identifies as a defining characteristic of the modern world.

Book News: The Queen's Lover by Francine du Plessix Gray

2011-11-16T23:26:00.000-08:00

Via Passages to the Past:

The Queen’s Lover begins at a masquerade ball in Paris in 1774, when the dashing Swedish nobleman Count Axel von Fersen first meets the mesmerizing nineteen-year-old Dauphine, Marie Antoinette, wife of the shy, reclusive prince who will soon become Louis XVI. This electric encounter launches a lifelong romance that will span the course of the French Revolution.

The affair begins in friendship, however, and Fersen quickly becomes a devoted companion to the entire royal family. As he roams the halls of Versailles and visits the private haven of Le Petit Trianon, Fersen discovers the deepest secrets of the court, even learning the startling, erotic details of Marie Antoinette’s marriage to Louis XVI. But the events of the American Revolution tear Fersen away. Moved by the cause, he joins French troops in the fight for American independence. When he returns, he finds France on the brink of disintegration. After the Revolution of 1789 the royal family is moved from Versailles to the Tuileries. Fersen devises an escape for the family and their young children (Marie-Thérèse and the Dauphin—whom many suspect is in fact Fersen’s son). The failed attempt leads to a more grueling imprisonment, and the family spends its excruciating final days captive before the King and Queen meet the guillotine.

Grieving his lost love in his native Sweden, Fersen begins to sense the effects of the French Revolution in his homeland. Royalists are now targets, and the sensuous world of his youth is fast vanishing. Fersen is incapable of realizing that centuries of tradition have disappeared, and he pays dearly for his naïveté, losing his life at the hands of a savage mob that views him as a pivotal member of the aristocracy. Scion of Sweden’s most esteemed nobility, Fersen came to be seen as an enemy of the country he loved. His fate is symbolic of the violent speed with which the events of the eighteenth century transformed European culture. Expertly researched and deeply imagined, The Queen’s Lover is a fresh vision of the French Revolution and the French royal family as told through the love story that was at its center.

Release Date: June 14, 2012

Book News: paperback edition of The Chevalier d'Eon and his Worlds: Gender, Espionage and Politics in the Eighteenth Century

2011-11-06T09:21:00.000-08:00

Amazon.com Description:

"Cross-dressing author, envoy, soldier and spy Charles d'Eon de Beaumont's unusual career fascinated his contemporaries and continues to attract historians, novelists, playwrights, filmmakers, image makers, cultural theorists and those concerned with manifestations of the extraordinary. D'Eon's significance as a historical figure was already being debated more than 45 years before his death.

Not surprisingly, such sensational material has attracted the attention of enthusiasts, scholars and literateurs to 'the strange case of the chevalier d'Eon'. He has also attracted the attention of psychologists and sexologists, and for most of the last century his gender transformation has been viewed through a Freudian lens. His cross-dressing, it was usually assumed, must have a psychosexual explanation. Until the second half of the twentieth century the terms 'Eonist' and 'Eonism' were the standard English words for transvestites and transvestism respectively, but 'Eonism' was also, thanks to Havelock Ellis, widely regarded as a psychological condition or compulsion. However, in the mid-twentieth century, new ideas about gender-identity disorders led to d'Eon being redefined not as a transvestite, but a transsexual -- a person who considers their sex to have been 'misassigned'.

The essays in this collection contribute to d'Eon's rehabilitation as a figure worthy of scholarly attention and display a variety of disciplinary approaches. Drawing on new research into d'Eon's life, this volume offers original and nuanced readings of how a gender identity could come to be negotiated over time."

The Chevalier d'Eon and his Worlds: Gender, Espionage and Politics in the Eighteenth Century by Simon Burrows, Russell Goulbourne, Valerie Mainz and Jonathan Conlin was initially released in April 2010. However, a more affordable paperback edition is being released in December of this year.

Release Date: December 22, 2011

Book Review: Versailles: A Private Invitation by Guillame Picon and Francis Hammond

2011-10-21T18:04:00.000-07:00

[A review copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher at my request.]

The palace of Versailles and its gardens have been the subject of many photography books over the years, including books that showcased the work of such excellent photographers as Robert Polidori and Francois Halard. One of the newest photobooks about the historical site is Versailles: A Private Invitation by Guillaume Picon with photography by Francis Hammond, published by Flammarion in October, 2011.

With so many other photography books about the palace already on the market, some may think that "yet another" photobook about Versailles is redundant or certainly overdone. Versailles: A Private Invitation is thankfully neither. Rather than present us with the same imagery used in just about every photobook on Versailles (and just about every album of Paris vacation photos!) Picon and Hammond take the reader on their own private tour of the opulent palace and its gardens using unique angles and tourist-free shots of the palace in all its intimate wonder. Most of the book is dedicated to the rooms of the main palace, The Royal Opera, and the interior of the chateau at the Trianon. I would have liked to see more images of the Queen's village and dairy, but the book does end with a lovely photo of the Marlborough Tower and dairy taken from the Queen's house.

While long time lovers of Versailles may not find too many images of rooms that they haven't already toured or at least heard about, it is the intimate detail in many of the photographs that makes this worthy of the title "A Private Invitation." A close up of the finely made compartments of The King's Desk, the wind of ancient steps dating back to the time of Louis XIV, the detail of an 18th century guéridon given by the Archduchess Maria Christina to the young Marie Antoinette... details that can be enjoyed on private tours and revisited, or details that can be seen for the very first time in this book. This book does seem aimed more at the general reader and architecture lover, but I think that it can also be recommended for those who simply love Versailles and want to see well taken, tourist free photographs of its world in close detail.

It's definitely worth a mention that the quality of the book itself is very good. The binding is strong and well done, and Francis Hammond's fresh photography is reproduced in fine quality on nice thick book paper. In addition to some 250 color photographs, there are plenty of contemporary quotes about Versailles and its inhabitants. I feel that these quotes added to the intimate aspect of the book and really kept it from being "yet another" photo book about the palace. The private invitation is not only to enjoy the beautiful details of the palace and architecture, but to find yourself immersed in the details of the people that lived, loved, and ultimate left Versailles.

The Popularity of Historical Fiction

2011-10-16T10:00:00.000-07:00

via Tea at Trianon:

All history lies to us, but at least historical fiction admits it.

(Via Writing the Renaissance.)

The market is booming, the novels are receiving prizes galore, and the public rush to meet their favourite author at events. Hollywood now uses writers like Gregory, Tracy Chevalier, Patrick O’Brian and David Peace for its source material. Even professional historians, for a long time rather sniffy about the historical novel, are using them in their teaching (and increasingly turning their hand to writing them).

So why is this the case? Why are we so fascinated by these fictional versions of the past? How have they become legitimate ways of thinking about history? More to the point, should we be worried by this?

Well, one answer is: this isn’t actually anything new. Sir Walter Scott’s Waverley (1814) sparked an explosion in historical novel writing that makes this current blip look very minor indeed. One could easily argue that without Scott we would not have most of the classics of European literature – Flaubert, Manzoni, Tolstoy, Eliot, Dickens, Pushkin and Victor Hugo all wrote in his shadow.

Those writers saw in Scott a new way to think about the nature of history itself. Fiction allowed them to explore, interrogate and imagine the past. They thought that using fiction as a means of comprehending and representing the past was as valid – and as important – as any other kind of historical writing. Historical novels do historical work. Their unique combination of education and escapism allows the reader to think about the ways in which what we call ‘history’ works.

As the results of a survey I recently conducted of readers of historical fiction make clear, people turn to historical novels to educate themselves as much as to seek enjoyment (you can take the survey yourself at www.meetthereaders.blogspot.com). They recognise that fiction is as legitimate a way of thinking about the past as ‘real’ history.

Historical fiction can give readers a more profound insight into the past, and illuminate an issue in a way that non-fiction prose can never hope to achieve. As one of the survey respondents said, in a phrase that I adore, “reading historical fiction adds a dimension to historical fact”. Yet beyond this, the historical novel boom suggests readers are comfortable with the ambiguities of the past and its representations.

Jonathan Nield, writing in 1902, argued that in reading such work we “allow ourselves to be hoodwinked”. I like this idea: that the books try to fool us and – crucially – we let this happen, even though we know better. Letting the reader in on the deception, the historical novel enfranchises us and makes us part of the process. We know we’re being fooled, but we don’t mind. All history lies to us, but at least historical fiction admits it. It empowers the reader and lets him or her reflect upon the ways in which all ‘history’ works through a system of narratives that strive to legitimise themselves. (Read entire article.)

An illustration from Marie Antoinette: Daughter of an Empress

2011-10-08T11:58:00.000-07:00

An illustration from Marie Antoinette: The Daughter of an Empress by Marguerite Vance. The illustrations in this book are truly lovely, even haunting at times.

I apologize for the lack of updates here, but I've been focused on an article for this blog that I hope will be finished by next week!

Giveaway: Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

2011-09-20T17:05:00.000-07:00

I'm delighted to announce another book giveaway! I will be giving away one new copy of Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly.

Giveaway Information

The prize will be one new hardcover copy of Revolution by Jennifer Donnely.

This giveaway is open to Blogspot and Tumblr users living within the United States.

Rules

You may enter once through Blogspot OR once through Tumblr. Please do not enter on both sites. Only logged-in entries will be considered valid.

To enter, simply fill out the entry form and comment to the Blogspot contest page or to my Tumblr Ask Box. If you would like an additional chance to win, reblog this entry on Tumblr or post about this giveaway on Blogspot!

Entry Form

Name: (Blog name or first name)

Contact Email:

Did you reblog/post about this giveaway? If yes, please provide a link.

The contest ends on September 27th, 2011, at 11 PM EST. I will announce the winner on both blogs on September 28th.

Book Review: The Fall of the Blade by Sue Reid

2011-09-13T14:00:00.000-07:00

Isabelle is a thirteen year old aristocrat living in a grand chateau outside of the city of Paris. The French Revolution has already begun, and as the city of Paris turns violent and the safety of aristocrats is threatened, her family decides they must flee further into the French countryside. There, they are threatened with discovery, burdened by a lack of supplies, and faced with the prospect of being taken to prison or even executed. All the while, young Isabelle keeps a diary to record her fears for her life, family, and France.

The Fall of the Blade, written by Sue Reid, is part of Scholastic UK's My Story series, a collection of fictional diaries set throughout various time periods, written by young characters. Some of the My Story books overlap with the Dear America and My Name is America books published by the American Scholastic branch, but there are many books original to the UK series, including The Fall of the Blade.

The story itself, which takes place in the midst of the more violent events of the French Revolution, was fairly exciting and had a good amount of action, particularly for younger readers. I thought it was an interesting touch to begin the story somewhat removed from the turmoil of Paris, because there was a sense of strained normalcy in Isabelle's life - at least in the beginning. As the book goes on, Isabelle is taken from the assumed safety of her chateau into hiding, prisons, and the streets of Paris.

I did enjoy Sue Reid's writing, which reflected the time period but was modern enough that young readers will have no problem understanding Isabelle's diary entries. I think adult readers might find Isabelle a little flat, because I never really got a feel for who the character was, which was unfortunate as her story was interesting. I also felt that the book was too short and that the ending was abrupt, leaving many threads unresolved. And unfortunately, the My Story series does not seem to feature the epilogues that are found in the Dear America series, which tell the reader what happened after the book ended. Perhaps this is to counteract reader complaints that they thought the Scholastic diaries were real? Simply a guess!

Despite some misgivings about the sudden end, I would recommend, The Fall of the Blade to anyone who enjoys "Scholastic diary" fiction, and is looking for a light read set during the revolution. It's also a good beginner book for younger readers, although it does naturally feature some violence. I would also recommend Marie Antoinette: Princess at Versailles by Kathryn Lasky, part of the The Royal Diaries (or, in the UK, My Royal Story) series, as well as The Princess in the Tower by Sharon Stewart, part of the short-lived Scholastic Canada Beneath the Crown series.

Book Review: Dairy Queens: The Politics of Pastoral Architecture by Meredith Martin

2011-09-04T13:22:00.000-07:00

[I was provided a review copy of this book upon my request by Harvard University Press.]

Meredith Martin delves into more than two centuries of French history in her book Dairy Queens: The Politics of Pastoral Architecture from Catherine de Medici to Marie Antoinette, which seeks to place the French pleasure dairy back in its historical context, shattering the myths and assumptions about the role of pleasure dairies in elite society.

The assumption that pleasure dairies were built by royal women as a way to pretend at being peasants while not actually living like one has permeated books, films and pop culture for years. Marie Antoinette is still accused of pretending to be a peasant while drinking dairy from porcelain cups and milking perfumed cows -- a true example of a "Let them eat cake" (which no, she never said) state of mind. However, Martin puts the pleasure dairy of Marie Antoinette (along with several other prominent French women such as Madame de Pompadour and Catherine de Medici) in their historical context, dismissing the notion that the dairies were there for the frivolous play of the elite class.

Martin explores the political, social and gender politics behind the pleasure dairies, revealing a surprising role in the lives of the women or men who built and enjoyed them. Pleasure dairies were often ways for aristocratic or royal women to exercise a form of political power, while still working within their gender role by promoting their status as nurturing mothers and worthy estate managers. They were also a way to improve health, employing Rosseau's notion that aristocratic women should retreat to countryside estates and reap the benefits of fresh milk and air. The catch, of course, is that most pleasure dairies were not built in the true countryside but on the outskirts or even within cities, so that a woman could enjoy the benefits of the countryside without giving up her social obligations. However, the female influence on the pleasure dairy was, particularly by the 1780s, often criticized and made suspect. When the dairy at Rambouillet was built in 1787 (without input from Marie Antoinette) it was a noticeably different from her own dairy at the Trianon. Martin believes this was an intentional move by the male designer to, in a way, put Marie Antoinette back in her place. Marie Antoinette may have been the "goddess" at her Trianon, but not so at the 'male' dairy at Rambouillet.

In addition to discussing the historical role of the pleasure dairy from the 17th century through the French Revolution, Martin touches on the impact the pleasure dairy - and its political and gender ramifications - have had on modern society.

Martin's writing is clear, intelligently written and supplemented by many photographs, drawings and paintings. It's worth a mention here that the layout of this book is absolutely wonderful. I'll admit I was expecting a "dry" layout from a University press, but when I opened the book I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of images used. It's really a superb layout, and something that not only compliments Martin's writing but makes the book something worth looking through even after you've finished reading.

Overall, I definitely recommended this book to anyone interested in French history, especially Marie Antoinette and her much maligned pleasure dairy. It's an excellent addition to any library and I think most readers will find the insights about the often ignored pleasure diary interesting. The book was released earlier this year and is available at most online bookstores.

Some thoughts on the subject of historical fiction and accuracy

2011-08-31T16:19:00.000-07:00

The topic of historical accuracy is no stranger to those of us that adore historical fiction, and accuracy takes on an entirely new dimension when a book deals with actual events and actual people. After all, it's one thing to write a story about the escapades of a fictional 16th century noblewoman kidnapped by bandits, and quite another to pen a fictional diary from the perspective of Anne Boleyn-- or Marie Antoinette. A real person's life, real events, real stories... all have certain established timelines and facts. A fictional noblewoman can have a life that is entirely invented by the author's imagination, but Marie Antoinette was married to Louis-Auguste, came to France in 1770 and lived at Versailles.

An important distinction when talking about historical accuracy in fiction is the difference between a "lie" and a "mistake." For this, I turn to an excellent explanation from guardian.co.uk:

"In describing the interactions of real individuals, one has to invent reactions or the character is just two-dimensional, and never develops. In creating good historical fiction, it is essential to tell lies. A clear distinction needs to be made here between telling lies and making mistakes. A lie is intentional and purposeful; a mistake is accidental ... "

A mistake, then, would be saying that Louis XVI is the son of Louis XV. Mistakes are typically the result of (a lack of) research, from receiving misinformation, or simply something not caught by an editor.

A lie would be sending Marie Antoinette off on an adventure in Paris as the Bastille is falling, or creating a conversation between Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette about a particularly lovely blue sky. These fictional events are intentionally written, and not accidental on the part of the author. Lies are typically invented because the author wants to make the narrative flow more smoothly, add more dimension to the characters, or explore something new.

The line between lies and mistakes can sometimes be murky. For example, if an author omits Sophie, the last born of Marie Antoinette's children, is it a mistake resulting from poor research, or an intentional lie intended to improve their story? This is one reason I appreciate author's notes that discuss the accuracy of a book, because I feel it helps the reader get a better idea of why certain inaccuracies are in the book - even if, in the end, the reader does not feel the inaccuracies are acceptable or justified.

And when is inaccuracy justified? As cliche as it sounds, it's what can be concluded from reading countless discussions about the subject: "It just depends." There is no right or wrong answer. It truly just depends on the reader's personal preferences. I know some readers who wouldn't mind if Marie Antoinette was written as a Paris Hilton clone who chewed bubble gum and stuck it under her cows at the Trianon, as long as they liked the story. I know some readers who don't bat an eye if Marie Antoinette is sporting foot-high hairdos in 1791. And I know some readers who would find all of the above unacceptable, no matter what.

Personally, when I read fiction about Marie Antoinette, her family, or other real people involved in the French Revolution... I want to read about those people and those events. By this, I mean that I don't want to read about a character who bears no resemblance to (what we know of) Marie Antoinette except for her name. I want to feel that the interpretation of her character is based in history, and not just based on whatever the author felt like at the time. I enjoy the MGM film Marie Antoinette starring Norma Shearer because I feel that Shearer captured a special sort of majesty and courage in the second act of the film, and it doesn't matter to me that the costumes are very "Hollywood" or that Axel Fersen pops up at the Conciergerie. In that same vein, I did not enjoy The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette by Carolly Erickson because I did not see a trace of "Marie Antoinette" in the novel. I feel that the author sacrificed far too much of real history for her own inventions, and lost sight of the queen's life along the way.

I've been feeling much more lenient about historical accuracy in details as time has gone on. I probably won't enjoy many stories if I let myself get caught up in every "but that's inaccurate!" that I manage to catch. I still bristle if Madame Elisabeth is omitted or Marie Antoinette moons over Axel Fersen in the Temple Tower after her husband passes... but in the end, I want to enjoy any story that captures at least some part of the queen's spirit -- regardless of the accuracy of her hairstyle.

Book Review: A Concise History of the French Revolution by Sylvia Neely

2011-08-27T22:00:00.000-07:00

Amazon.com Description: This concise yet rich introduction to the French Revolution explores the origins, development, and eventual decline of a movement that defines France to this day. Through an accessible chronological narrative, Sylvia Neely explains the complex events, conflicting groups, and rapid changes that characterized this critical period in French history. She traces the fundamental transformations in government and society that forced the French to come up with new ways of thinking about their place in the world, ultimately leading to liberalism, conservatism, terrorism, and modern nationalism.

A Concise History of the French Revolution is an overview of the French Revolution - its origins, major events and major figures. Unlike some "short history" books about the revolution, Sylvia Neely says truly focused on giving the reader a chronological, fairly no-nonsense overview of events. The trim volume, which contains about 250 pages of reading material, does not get sidetracked by focusing on certain events or people over the others, which is a benefit to those who really want to read a short introduction to the entire revolution. It should be noted that concise truly means concise - there are not paragraphs describing the background of Robespierre, or pages detailing every battle, or a chapter dedicated to the fate of the royal family. Some readers may find the lack of extensive detail frustrating, and may want to know more than Neely provides. However, in my view this book is best used as a short introduction to the revolution, something to read before moving on to more detailed and focused works.

Neely's views on the French Revolution may be new for some readers. For example, she believes that the French Revolution being described as "the peasants uprising against the nobles for their rights" is an oversimplification that ignores the facts behind France's nobility system, exactly what rights for the people were proposed by the first Constitutional Committee, and the type of person who was initially involved in the new government of France. Although I didn't always agree with some of her points, I was satisfied with the amount of footnotes and annotations she used in this book. Neely also provided a select English bibliography and a concise timeline of major events. I should note that while I did enjoy the general overview the book provided, the writing before the actual revolution was almost textbook dry. This was likely because it was necessary to provide the gritty details about France's tax system and other political information in order to explain the beginning of the revolution, but it was a bit hard to get through.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an introductory read about the French Revolution, as well as anyone who wants to read a "newer" view on the origins and politics of the revolution itself.

Book Review: Marie Antoinette "Madame Deficit" by Liz Hockinson

2011-08-13T17:16:00.000-07:00

This review is based on a review copy I requested and received earlier this week.

The Thinking Girl's Treasury of Dastardly Dames is a new series of youth books profiling several 'notorious' historical women, presenting the readers with their lives, times, and deeds - in order to allow the reader to decide for themselves: Just how wicked were they?

Marie Antoinette "Madame Deficit" by Liz Hockinson profiles Marie Antoinette, who was and continues to be profiled as the haughty queen who callously stated, "Let the!m eat cake!" when told the French peasants were starving. Although I have read similar "decide for yourself" youth books about other historical figures, this is the first time I've read one about Marie Antoinette.

Marie Antoinette "Madame Deficit" has an interesting layout that utilizes a combination of text, historical images, photography and original artwork. The text is laid out clearly and was very easy to read. I was pleasantly surprised at the number of historical images and photographs in the book, because many of the images aren't typically used in other youth non-fiction books about the queen. It was a refreshing change to see, for example, the painting of Marie Antoinette seated at a harp, entertaining courtiers in her chambers. The original images in the book are quite lovely without glamorizing Marie Antoinette's appearance, which was also a refreshing change.

Liz Hockinson's text flows easily and younger readers should have no trouble following the main thread of the book, or the numerous side stories and tidbits scattered throughout. I wish the book had presented just a bit more of the positive side of Marie Antoinette, however Hockinson did dispel many of the more common myths, such as the utterance of "Let them eat cake." The author also brought up several key points about a French queen's relation to politics, hostility towards Austrians at the French court, the unfairness of the French tax system and Marie Antoinette's reaction to motherhood--all of which I think young readers will definitely benefit from.

I recommend this book for parents with children who love history - royal history, in particular! - as well as anyone who enjoys a nice layout and a quick read. The book is aimed at ages 9 to 12, and is due to be released in late August or early September.

Book Review: Farewell Toinette by Bertita Harding

2011-08-09T12:10:00.000-07:00

Farewell Toinette by Bertita Harding is about an evental rest stop by Marie Antoinette and her royal retinue at a castle-turned-hotel on the way to France. The castle, which is disgused as a regular hotel when the duke who owns it hears the Joseph II will never stay at royal lodgings, also becomes host to a band of traveling gypsies, a prince in disguise, and - it's rumored - the ghost of a woman who was buried alive with the bodies of the children she murdered. Joseph II is determined to remain as incognito as possible, Marie Antoinette is fretting over her upcoming marriage, and the duke of the castle juggles all of his guests while worrying about the anniversary of a death which is said to bring bad luck, bad times, and a vengeful spirit.

I stumbled upon this book by accident one day when searching for news articles about the queen, and it really is a quaint little book. The writing is that sort of old, charming storyteller narrative - neither particularly detailed or particularly bland but colorful - and it makes the book perfect for a rainy day or long car ride. The history of the book is rather dubious, especially once you get into mysterious gypsies and haunted spirits, but there's nothing that's terribly offensive or off-putting.

I recommend this book for English collections about Marie Antoinette and her time period, as well as for anyone looking for something a little different and less popular to read.

Book News: Upcoming French Revolution releases

2011-07-25T10:16:00.000-07:00

I've been on the lookout for some new French Revolution book releases lately and thankfully, among the dozens of sketchy reprints of public domain books, there are a few new upcoming works that look very interesting.

Time and the French Revolution: The Republican Calendar, 1789-Year XIV by Matthew Shaw

Release Date: August 18, 2011

The French Republican Calendar was perhaps the boldest of all the reforms undertaken in Revolutionary France. Introduced in 1793 and used until 1806, the Calendar not only reformed the weeks and months of the year, but decimalised the hours of the day and dated the year from the beginning of the French Republic. This book not only provides a history of the calendar, but places it in the context of eighteenth-century time-consciousness, arguing that the French were adept at working within several systems of time-keeping, whether that of the Church, civil society, or the rhythms of the seasons. Developments in time-keeping technology and changes in working patterns challenged early-modern temporalities, and the new calendar can also be viewed as a step on the path toward a more modern conception of time. In this context, the creation of the calendar is viewed not just as an aspect of the broader republican programme of social, political and cultural reform, but as a reflection of a broader interest in time and the culmination of several generations' concern with how society should be policed.

Revolution and the Republic: A History of Political Thought in France since the Eighteenth-Century by Jeremy Jennings

Release Date: August 23, 2011

Revolution and the Republic provides a new and wide-ranging interpretation of political thought in France from the eighteenth century to the present day. At its heart are the dramatic and violent events associated with the French Revolution of 1789 and the birth of the First Republic in 1792. For the next two centuries, writers in France struggled to make sense of these and subsequent events in French revolutionary history, producing a rich and perceptive analysis of the nature of republican government. But, as Revolution and the Republic shows, these important debates were not limited to the narrow confines of politics and to the writing of constitutions. Such was their significance that they occupied a central place in discussions about religion, science, philosophy, commerce, and the writing of history. They also shaped arguments about the character of France and the French nation as well as polemics about the role of intellectuals in French society. Moreover, they continue to be of importance in France today as the country faces the challenges posed by globalisation, multiculturalism, and the reform of the welfare state. Integrating the perspectives of intellectual history, political theory, social and cultural history, and political economy, Jeremy Jennings has written a study of political ideas that appeals to all those interested in the history of modern France and Europe more generally.

The Perfect Foil: Francois-Andre Vincent and the Revolution in French Painting by Elizabeth C. Mansfield

Release Date: December 22, 2011

Art history is haunted by the foil: the dark star whose diminished luster sets off another’s brilliance. Relegated to this role by modern historians of Revolutionary-era French art, François-André Vincent (1746–1816) is chiefly viewed in the reflection of his contemporary, Jacques-Louis David. The Perfect Foil frees Vincent from this distorting mirror. Offering a nuanced and historically accurate account of Vincent’s life and work, Elizabeth C. Mansfield reveals the artist’s profound influence on the visual culture of the French Revolution—and, paradoxically, on the art historical narrative that would consign him to obscurity.

By giving us a detailed and faithful portrait of this artist poised at the turning point of history, Mansfield restores a critically important body of work to its rightful place in the story of French art and reorients Revolutionary-era French art history toward a broader, more inclusive understanding of the period.

A New Dictionary of the French Revolution by Richard Ballard

Release Date: January 17, 2012

The French Revolution was a huge, brutal yet inspiring phenomenon that changed global political thinking and action, and its echoes resound even in the twenty-first century. It was an intensely complex mix of events, concepts and individuals and 'The New Dictionary' is an invaluable aid to unravelling its complications, and an essential companion for students and general readers alike. There are over 400 entries covering the main events, personalities, parties, ideologies, political ideas, philosophers, writers, artists, rebellions and wars, as well as touching on colonial and international developments, the interaction of church and state, science, law reform, events in the provinces and overseas territories and the reverberations in other European states. The Dictionary provides a full and vibrant history from the outbreak of revolution in 1789 to the Terror, the Revolutionary state, its wars and the rise of Napoleon. Entries contain much more than just bare factual information: they provide a detailed commentary and include suggestions for further reading - both in print and online - which reference the extensive literature of over 200 years of scholarship and the latest historiography. Cross-referencing is extensive and the index provides reference to minor but important subjects contained in main entries.

Staging the French Revolution: Cultural Politics and the Paris Opera, 1789-1794 by Mark Darlow

Release Date: February 27, 2012

Over the last decade, the theatre and opera of the French Revolution have been the subject of intense scholarly reassessment, both in terms of the relationship between theatrical works and politics or ideology in this period and on the question of longer-scale structures of continuity or rupture in aesthetics. Staging the French Revolution: Cultural Politics and the Paris Opera, 1789-1794 moves these discussions boldly forward, focusing on the Paris Opéra (Académie Royale de Musique) in the cultural and political context of the early French Revolution. Both institutional history and cultural study, this is the first ever full-scale study of the Revolution and lyric theatre. The book concentrates on three aspects of how a royally-protected theatre negotiates the transition to national theatre: the external dimension, such as questions of ownership and governance and the institution's relationship with State institutions and popular assemblies; the internal management, finances, selection and preparation of works; and the cultural and aesthetic study of the works themselves and of their reception.

Finding Marie Antoinette: An american guide

2011-07-17T18:22:00.000-07:00

Finding Marie Antoinette

Although most objects relating to Marie Antoinette and the last court of Versailles are housed in Versailles and Paris, history lovers in America don't need to hop on a plane to bring themselves a little closer to the French queen. Everything from tables to paintings to royal dog houses can be found right here in the United States! Road trip, anyone?

Note: The items listed are currently recorded as being on view to the public, or are (if the website is unclear) likely on view. Please be aware that items can be frequently moved from public display at museums for a variety of reasons , so it's always best to call ahead if possible to see if an item is still being exhibited.

As with any sort of guide, this list is by no means comprehensive. Many museums do not have websites, full online collections, or online collections at all. I will be periodically updating it with items I missed, fresh acquisitions and new exhibitions. If you have any additional items that could be added, I would love to hear from you, and please contact me at the email on my sidebar. Enjoy!

Arizona

Phoenix Art Museum Painting of Madame Adelaide of France in 1787 by Adelaide Labille-Guiard Possibly on view

Phoenix Art Museum: Painting of Madame Victoire in 1781 by Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun Possibly on view

California

District of Columbia

The National Gallery of Art: 1793 Medal commemorating Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette On view

The National Gallery of Art: Silver medal depicting Louis XVI in 1783 On view

The National Gallery of Art: Writing table ordered for Marie Antoinette's private apartments at the Tuileries Palace On view

The National Gallery of Art: A marble bust of Giuseppe Balsamo, Comte di Cagliostro, by Jean-Antoine Houdon On view

The National Museum of Natural History: Earrings set with a pair of Marie Antoinette's diamonds On view

Smithsonian Natural Air and Space Museum: Bronze medal with the busts of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, commemorating the first manned balloon flight in 1783 On view

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum: Copper medal of Louis XVI, commemorating the Montgolfier balloon flights On view

Florida

The Lightner Museum: A portrait of Louis XVIII proposed to be by Antoine-Francois Callet On view

Kentucky

Louisville: A statue of Louis XVI stands across from the Louisville City Hall On view

Louisiana

New Orlean's Museum of Art: Portrait of Marie Antoinette by Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun Likely on view

New Orlean's Museum of Art: Portrait of Louis XVI by Antoine-François Callet Likely on view

Maryland

Massachusetts

Museum of Fine Arts Boston: Fall front secretary likely part of furnishings made for Marie Antoinette's Trellis Bedchamber at the Petit Trianon On view

Museum of Fine Arts Boston: Chest of drawers likely part of furnishings made for Marie Antoinette's Terllis Bedchamber at the Petit Trianon On view

Museum of Fine Arts Boston: One vase of a pair, likely the pair of vases recorded in the Cabinet de Conseil of Louis XVI at Versailles On view

Museum of Fine Arts Boston: Second vase of a pair, likely the pair of vases recorded in the Cabinet de Conseil of Louis XVI at Versailles On view

Michigan

Detroit Institute of the Arts: Commode for the apartments of Madame Elisabeth at the chateau de Fontainbleau and (later) Louis XVI's apartments at the chateau de Fontainebleau On view

Detroit Institute of the Arts: 1640 statue of Bacchus and a young satyr owned by Louis XIV, XV and XVI On view

Detroit Institute of the Arts: 1796 marble statue of Louis XVI by Robert Lazzarini On view

Detroit Institute of the Arts: 1755 bust of Louis XV after a sculpture by Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne II On view

Minnesota

Minneapolis Institute of the Arts: Plate from a service made for the Cardinal de Rohan On view

Minneapolis Institute of the Arts: "L'urne mystérieuse" plate with hidden mourning profiles of the royal family On view

Minneapolis Institute of the Arts: Sèvres saucer with the portraits of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette On view

Minneapolis Institute of the Arts: Bust of Madame de Sérilly, a lady in waiting to Marie Antoinette, by Jean-Antoine Houdon On view

Missouri

Saint Louis Art Museum: One of four identical corner cabinets for the salon of the Maison de la Reine of the queen's Hameau On view

Saint Louis Art Museum: A bust of Madame du Barry by Jean Baptiste Lemoyne II, circa 1771 Possibly on view

New York

The Frick Collection: Temporary Exhibition: "Turkish Taste at the Court of Marie Antoinette"

The Frick Collection: Commode for the apartments of Madame Victoire at Compiègne and later the apartments of Louis XVI at Compiègne On view

The Frick Collection: 'The Progress of Love: Hollyhocks" by Jean-Honoré Fragonard likely from Madame du Barry's collection at Louveciennes On view

The Frick Collection: 'The Progress of Love: Pursuing a dove' by Jean-Honoré Fragonard likely from Madame du Barry's collection at Louveciennes On view

Ohio

Cincinnati Art Museum: Portrait of Louis XVI by Luc Sicardi Possibly on view

Pennsylvania

Philadelphia Museum of Art: 1790 relief portrait of Marie Antoinette attributed to Isaac Gosset
On view

Philadelphia Museum of Art: Writing table made for Marie Antoinette for the royal chateau at Marly On view

Philadelphia Museum of Art: Plate from a dinner service originally ordered by Marie Antoinette in 1784 for use in her apartments at the Tuileries palace (from one of two possible services) On view

Philadelphia Museum of Art: A dish from a service commissioned by Louis XVI in 1786 On view

Philadelphia Museum of Art: Portrait of Madame du Barry in 1781 by Louise-Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun On view

Philadelphia Congress Hall: Portrait of Louis XVI by Joseph-Siffred Duplessis , given as a gift by Louis XVI On view

Philadelphia Congress Hall: Portrait of Marie Antoinette by Louise-Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun, given as a gift by Louis XVI On view

Book News: Secret Versailles: A Private Invitation by Guillaume Picon and Francis Hammond

2011-07-11T14:36:00.000-07:00

Secret Versailles: A Private Invitation by Guillaume Picon and Francis Hammond is an upcoming photobook dedicated to the "secret" Versailles.

The Amazon.com description: Exquisite photography of one of France’s most significant historical landmarks. The largest château in the world still holds a thousand and one hidden secrets. While Versailles has been described in detail since the reign of Louis XIV, numerous apartments in the palace and their outbuildings are inaccessible to the public due to their fragility or state of preservation. From the most renowned rooms to the gardens, passing through the Trianon or the Queen’s hamlet, Versailles contains many extraordinary details, transformed according to the light or the shadow. Whether it’s Marie-Antoinette’s boudoir, the wings of the Queen’s theater, or even the Orangerie on a beautiful wintery day, these singular photographs reveal the many facets of Versailles and offer readers unprecedented access to this historical treasure.

There have been a few books dedicated to the "secrets" of Versailles, although I have yet to read them. I do hope that this book provides photographs of the private rooms that the public cannot access, because I have read a few reviews of previous "secret" books in which most photos were simply nice shots of public areas.

The book is set to be released on October 11th, 2011.

Giveaway: Before Versailles at Passages to the Past

2011-07-03T13:32:00.000-07:00

Passages to the Past: A place to be for Historical Fiction is hosting a giveaway of two copies of Karleen Koen's new novel, Before Versailles: A Novel of Louis XIV.

Book Review: Becoming Marie Antoinette by Juliet Grey

2011-06-20T16:03:00.000-07:00

"Why must it be me? I wondered. When I am so clearly inadequate to my destiny?"

Raised alongside her numerous brothers and sisters by the formidable empress of Austria, ten-year-old Maria Antonia knew that her idyllic existence would one day be sacrificed to her mother’s political ambitions. What she never anticipated was that the day in question would come so soon.

Before she can journey from sunlit picnics with her sisters in Vienna to the glitter, glamour, and gossip of Versailles, Antonia must change everything about herself in order to be accepted as dauphine of France and the wife of the awkward teenage boy who will one day be Louis XVI. Yet nothing can prepare her for the ingenuity and influence it will take to become queen.

*This review is for an ARE edition*

I can still remember when Becoming Marie Antoinette first popped up on Amazon.com search results, with no cover, no summary, and nothing but the title and the author. Then, as more details emerged, it was revealed to be the first in an upcoming trilogy about the (in)famous French queen. The cover was revealed, a book trailer released, and now the AREs are making the rounds. I received my copy in the mail with a mixture of excitement and, to be honest, nervousness! Because Marie Antoinette is probably my deepest historical interest, I'm always antsy when reading a new book about her, especially a novel.

Before beginning to read, I decided that I wanted to get through 50 pages a day and finish the book in little over a week. The book arrived on June 17th - and I couldn't help but eat up the entire novel as swiftly as I could manage, and finished it on June 20th!

The length of this book allows for a much greater development of character than, in my opinion, any previous novel about the queen. In a typical Marie Antoinette narrative, she's in Versailles by page 20 - it's close to 200 pages before Marie Antoinette steps foot on French soil, and the connection to her character is all the stronger for it. The story enjoys a slower pace but a much better sense of personality, setting, and overall story. It feels like a historical fiction novel, not a biography with some dialogue and flowery phrases tacked on.

I've heard Becoming Marie Antoinette described as a 'confection' of a novel, and the term is a pretty apt description for Juliet Grey's writing. The colorful descriptions of faces, palaces, dresses, and odors both pleasant and horrid are vivid and imaginative, without sounding like the same tired cliches commonly found in historical fiction.

Speaking of historical fiction... those of us who tend to (and I'll admit I'm terribly guilty of this) nitpick novels that involve history we are interested in will be excited to know that the novel is well researched without coming across as "stuffy" or too biographical. Any changes or tweaks on history are done for the smoothness of the narrative, and nothing that really detracts from the characters of Marie Antoinette or her family. Marie Antoinette herself is written with surprising freshness and personality that feels much truer to history than the sometimes over-dramatized and overblown Marie Antoinette we see in novels that attempt to play up her reputation. The same can be said for the other historical characters, who take the shape of real characters and people rather than caricatures and stock names.

To sum up, I loved this book. It's uncommon that I will literally say: "I am loving this book" when I take a break during a book, but it's what I found myself saying over and over! If the rest of the trilogy lives up to this first installment, I think Juliet Grey's "Marie Antoinette" trilogy will be a treasured set on many bookshelves.

Book Trailer: Becoming Marie Antoinette

2011-06-14T18:51:00.001-07:00

A book trailer for Becoming Marie Antoinette by Juliet Grey has been posted to Youtube!

I don't normally watch book trailers but this was such a nice concept, I couldn't pass it up!

Book News: Marie Antoinette, 'Madame Deficit,' by Liz Hockinson

2011-06-08T00:06:00.000-07:00

I have never heard of The Thinking Girl's Treasury of... books before, but there's a first time for everything! The previously published line of Thinking Girl books is called "... Real Princesses," about various princesses throughout history. This fall, they are publishing several books under the line The Thinking Girl's Treasury of Dastardly Dames. And who should fall under the title of a Dastardly Dame? Marie Antoinette, of course! Marie Antoinette, "Madame Deficit," by Liz Hockinson is due out September 1st, 2011.

Currently there is no additional information on the Amazon book page.

Book Review: Blood Sisters by Marilyn Yalom

2011-05-25T13:44:00.000-07:00

These compelling human dramas -- moving accounts of survival on the cusp of catastrophe - add suffering faces to the canvas of lofty thinkers and fiery orators who dominate the historiography of the Revolution. They tell us what it was like to suffer a miscarriage as the result of a street demonstration, to choose between nursing a baby and following a husband to war, to resist jailers' demands for sexual favors. A tragic note prevails: the sense of having survived when so many others perished often produced what we might now call "survivor's guilt." Their testimonies, Yalom argues, spring from an inner urgency to bear witness for those who were sacrificed on the revolutionary altar. Their writings eloquently attest to the human costs of radical social change. -Basic Books

In Blood Sisters: The French Revolution in Women's Memory, Marilyn Yalom takes a look at the memoirs of women from a variety of social stations, political alliances and ages--maids, wealthy wives, even female soldiers... all of these women were, in some way, affected by the French Revolution. In Blood Sisters, Yalom examines not only what happened to these women, but how they chose to write about it years or decades afterward.

Choosing to look at the actual narratives written or dictated by the women allows Yalom to examine how the women responded to those events, and how they wanted to be remembered for them. It's one thing to tell the reader about the life of Charlotte Robespierre, and quite another to examine how Charlotte Robespierre wrote about herself.

I can't recommend Blood Sisters: The French Revolution in Women's Memory highly enough. It's a compelling look into the memoirs of women who went through everything from fighting in the counterrevolutionary war to rickety carriage rides through darkened woods, pursued by soldiers with the intent to kill. I wish the book had been twice the size, because I was sad to have finished it!

Book Review: A Scented Palace by Elisabeth De Feydeau

2011-05-11T16:05:00.000-07:00

A Scented Palace: The Secret History of Marie Antoinette’s Perfumer by Elisabeth De Feydeau is a history of Jean-Louis Fargeon, who was a prominent perfumer to Marie-Antoinette and the court of Versailles. The book recounts his early life, his success with beauty products in the booming industry of Paris, and his career up through and after the French Revolution.

A Scented Palace can be called a truly scented book. Although I have never been very interested in perfumes, I thought that the descriptions in the book of all the scents were detailed enough that even people like me could pick up on a scent, or at least the idea of the scent, while reading. Perfume lovers in particular should enjoy this, since they will already be familiar or at least more suspeticble to imagining certain scents.

However, there is more to this book than perfume. Jean-Louis Fargeon rose to become one of the most sought after men in the French beauty business for his endless beuaty creations. He designed moisturizing hand gloves for aristocratic women, and delivered scented bath satchels for Marie Antoinette herself. Unfortunately, the book does lack on the biography of this interesting man. There is enough about him to satiate most readers, but the book is so short already - under 140 pages, and an appendix in the back takes up a good 30+ - that the lack of more information was a little disappointing.

Despite this, I do recommend giving A Scented Palace a read. The descriptions of the beauty techniques of Versailles were more than enough to make up for the lack of biographical information. If you've ever wanted to know what scents Marie Antoinette preferred when she had headaches, or what perfumes the royal family carried with them on the ill-fated flight from the Tuileries Palace - this is the book for you!

Giveaway: Secrets of Marie Antoinette: A Collection of Letters

2011-05-01T18:35:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to announce another book giveaway! One winner will receive a copy of Secrets of Marie Antoinette: A Collection of Letters by Olivier Bernier, which contains many letters written between Marie Antoinette, her mother, and the Austrian ambassador Mercy.

Giveaway Information:

The prize will be a gently used paperback copy of Secrets of Marie Antoinette by Olivier Bernier.

This giveaway is open to readers within the US and living internationally, provided they are users of Blogspot or Tumblr.

To Enter:

You can enter either through Blogspot or Tumblr. Each way includes a chance to increase your odds of winning!

Note: Only logged-in entries will be considered valid, please do not enter without logging into your blogspot or tumblr account. If you are posting about this giveaway to ensure another entry, please include a link when you fill out the form.

Blogspot Users: Comment on the Secrets of Marie Antoinette Giveaway post using your blogspot account with your name (account or first name) and email. To enter twice: Post about this giveaway on your blog! Remember to link this post in your entry.

To Enter on Tumblr, see this post

The contest ends on May 8th, 2011 at 11 PM EST. I will announce the winner on both of my blogs on May 9th.

Book Review: Fear No More by Hester Chapman

2011-04-26T17:52:00.001-07:00

Fear No More by Hester Chapman begins at Versailles on the eve of Revolution, as the Estates-General begin to convene. The story is not overly concerned with the politics of the France, and instead focuses on the personal life of the second son of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, Louis Charles. He is young and immature, but hardy and full of life. His older brother, Louis Joseph, is on the brink of death - something he doesn't quite understand - and soon succumbs to illness, making Louis Charles the new dauphin. He hardly has time to adjust to his new position, as the palace is stormed and the royal family is taken to the Tuileries Palace in Paris. He tries to please everyone at the new palace as well as the common people in the streets who are curious about the little prince, but often falls victim to politics and events that he doesn't understand. The royal family is eventually stripped of their titles and imprisoned in the tower of the Temple. There, after losing his father, Louis Charles is taken from his mother and re-educated as a "patriot." The ill-treatment given to him eventually causes a fatal illness, and he dies.

What was very unique about Fear No More was the author's decision to tell the story from the third person limited view of Louis Charles. Seeing the revolution through the childish perspective of a very young boy was a bold move, especially considering the often horrific subject matter. However, this bold move more than paid off with Chapman's excellent grip on Louis Charles' voice. Sometimes when books are written from the perspective of a very young child, they can fall victim to the "adult child" trap, where the perspective is often too advanced and mature for the subject. In Fear No More, this was never the case, and even though Louis Charles' perspective can be frustrating, I felt it stayed true to his age and maturity.

Chapman also made excellent use of the difference between what a child perceives and the reality of a situation. For example, Louis Charles' time with the Simon family was seen as almost fun through his eyes: he dances for street girls and drinks and everyone laughs and praises him when he swears or insults his family. But when Louis Charles was removed from the Simon's care, his new guardian points out that he's filthy, nearly emaciated, infested with fleas, pale, sick, and his clothing is tight and in rags.

I do feel it important to bring up a rather big departure from history in his novel. Chapman decided to invent a fictional groomsmen for Louis Charles named Colin, who had once been doted on by Marie Antoinette and has now been reduced to working in the stables. Colin was inspired by Armand, a boy Marie Antoinette actually did adopt, and who turned revolutionary in his later years. But in this novel, the fictional Colin was not just an anti-monarchist who assisted the revolution. He was a sexual abuser towards Louis Charles, beginning at the tender age of four. This sexual abuse continued throughout the novel, and was a consistent theme that attempted to explain some of the mystery surrounding Louis Charles' actions. Louis Charles eventually recreated his abuse when alone, and the Simon family discovered him "in the act." This discovery was used in order to get Louis Charles to accuse Marie Antoinette and Madame Elisabeth of sexual abuse.

The abuse and character of Colin were not written poorly, and within the context of the novel everything was written realistically and relatively plausibly. The eventual accusation against the queen didn't seem like a cop-out, but rather the result of the crescendo of lies, fear, and abuse that Louis Charles had suffered since Colin first began to abuse him.

But personally, I wish the author had left out this fictional sexual abuse. Although, as I said, it was never written poorly, I feel that the emphasis and focus on Colin took away from the emotional impact of the book. For example, Louis Charles' thoughts, even as he lay dying, return again and again to Colin -- instead of his real family or even just the jailers and people that he actually knew. It was hard sometimes to connect emotionally because of this.

Aside from this, the novel was fairly historically accurate - again, within the context of it being from a child's eyes. Sometimes characters or events are a bit muddled or mixed up, but I think most of this was intentional due to Louis Charles' young age and skewed view on the events.

I do definitely recommend this novel because of the unique and excellent perspective, even if I did not agree with the author's inventive choice.

An illustration from Marie Antoinette: Daughter of an Empress

2011-04-14T15:50:00.000-07:00

One thing I enjoy about books aimed at younger readers are the illustrations! This particular illustration is from Marie Antoinette: Daughter of an Empress by Marguerite Vance. I received it from hold at the library today, and though I haven't had a chance to read it yet, I really enjoy the wipsy, beautiful drawings by Nedda Walker.

Book Review: Trianon by Elena Maria Vidal

2011-04-07T17:09:00.001-07:00

The fruit of years of research, TRIANON corrects many of the popular misconceptions about Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette. The novel chronicles their resolution and dignity in the face of crushing disappointments, innumerable humiliations, personal and national tragedy, and death itself.

Trianon by Elena Maria Vidal is the story of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, told through a series of vignette-like chapters. The vignettes, through flashbacks and active events, flesh out the lives of the royal couple and their family throughout the revolution. Trianon is unique not only because of its format, but because it tells the story through many different and often underused points of view - you have a chapter from the perspective of an often neglected figure in fiction, Louis XVI's aunt who has retired to a convent; you have a chapter told from the point of view of Marie Antoinette's young daughter as she watches her parents at mass, etc. It's also unique in that it starts near the end of the couple's lives. Though it does have flashbacks to their youth, at the start of the novel, it's already the end of their world--the days of ballrooms and late nights in Paris are over, replaced by a devotion to children and state.

Trianon feels like a response to the Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI that films, books, and even propaganda dating back to the French Revolution have created for society as a whole. It feels like a response to Marie Antoinette being depicted as binging on cake and champagne and living in ignorant, frock-filled frivolity up until the smack of the Revolution. It also feels like a response to Louis XVI, fat and dumb, bumbling his way through his life and reign while caring for nothing but the hunt and food. It seeks to expose their lesser known characteristics: their charity, their love of their French subjects, their love of each other, and a more down to earth portrait of who Vidal thinks they really might have been. Even if “who they really might have been” doesn’t happen to involve champagne parties and Swedish love affairs.

It's very refreshing to see fiction that strays away from the popular view of Marie Antoinette. Vidal has done extensive research on the royal family and it truly shows. However, sometimes the amount of information that has been placed into the short novel reads a little heavy-handed or awkward when it's written in as dialogue for the characters. Outside of these very few instances, however, Vidal's writing is solid, engrossing, and beautiful. Some of the best parts of the novel are seemingly simple scenes, such as Marie Antoinette wandering the Trianon in heart ache after the death of her first son. These scenes are written with such poignancy and emotion that you really feel as if you are an invisible spectator at a moment in their lives.

I highly recommend Trianon for anyone interested in Marie Antoinette or her family. It truly packs a punch, and I'm eagerly anticipating saving up for the sequel, Madame Royale.

(I usually don't 'endorse' specific editions, but I own the hardcover edition depicted above and it's gorgeous!)

Giveaway at Hist-Fic Chick: Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran

2011-03-31T22:47:00.001-07:00

Hist-Fic Chick is hosting a giveway of Michelle Moran's Madame Tussaud: A Novel of the French Revolution! It ends April 1st, 11:59 PST!

Book News: Becoming Marie Antoinette Cover!

2011-03-30T16:38:00.000-07:00

A cover for Becoming Marie Antoinette by Juliet Grey has been posted at Amazon.com!

The Queen's Confession covers

2011-03-27T15:23:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things about a book, besides the content of course, is the cover!

I'm a bit of a book cover addict, so I love looking up all the various covers of books. Today I'll be posting a visual comparison between some of the book covers for Victoria Holt's novel The Queen's Confession. The Queen's Confession, written by Eleanor Hibbert under one of her many pseudonyms, is a fictional Marie Antoinette autobiography. It was initially published in 1968, and has been republished several times throughout the years.

I've yet to read this novel, but when searching for covers, I did find a surprising amount of romantic pictures - I can only assume that they're meant to represent Axel Fersen!

Here are the romantic covers I've found during my searches.

I especially like the second to the last cover, which is reminiscent of the Norma Shearer inspired covers that popped up in the late 1930s and 40s after the MGM film was released. The second and last cover look like straight-up bodice rippers, though!

Although the romantic cover angle is popular, a few covers make use (for better or worse!) of original images of the queen.

The second cover is my favorite of this set, mainly because it's the only cover that really looks like Marie Antoinette. Her hair appears underpowered, and the dress is a little strange, but I enjoy the quirky color combination and the pose obviously inspired by the Lebrun painting. The rest of the covers fall into the typical traps of generic clothing or strange faces that bear little to no resemblance to the queen.

One thing I do love about older books about Marie Antoinette, particularly fiction books, is their tendency to use original art and photography rather than the stock photos of her famous portraits. The Queen's Confession is definitely a good example of this, although most of the original covers are definitely pushing the romance angle. The 1968 hardcover copy, pictured at the top of this article, is the odd exception.

Most of the later editions of The Queen's Confession also seem to stick to her portraits, which to me is such a shame. But at least we have all these previous editions to enjoy!

Book Review: Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

2011-03-25T15:13:00.000-07:00

BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’ most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris for winter break.

PARIS: Alexandrine Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her in a tragic role she didn’t want—and couldn’t escape.

Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine’s diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There’s comfort and distraction for Andi in the journal’s antique pages—until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine’s words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present.

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly is a blend of historical fiction, modern teen fiction, with a touch of mystery and time travel added to the mix. It's written in the fast paced first-person perspective of Andi Alpers, with excerpts from the diary of a young 18th century aspiring actress named Alexandrine scattered throughout.

Donnelly's writing was mostly engaging to read. It was even beautiful at times, particularly when bringing up the literal ghosts of the past. The writing did seem angled at teenagers, and there's a sort of Gossip Girl atmosphere to the writing, albeit much darker.

For fans of French history, the story did use an interesting historical angle: Andi, because of her discovery of Alexandrine's diary and her genius scientist father's DNA work, became obsessed with uncovering the real fate of Louis Charles, the son of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Did he die? Or survive? Her hope that he has somehow lived was amplified by her own guilt over her younger brother, who bore a striking resemblance to the doomed French prince. With regards to history, Donnelly did her research and there wasn't too much that would jump out to history lovers as inaccurate or troublesome.

Although I enjoyed the writing and unique history of the book, I thought that the author could have given Andi more to do. Her struggle was mainly an internal one, which wouldn't be much of a problem, but the book is 400+ pages and it was occasionally tiresome. Because of Andi's upbringing, connections, and personal characteristics, most of her external dilemmas were solved for her. The unfortunate result of this is that Andi's story lacks oomph. She doesn't do much other than lounge around Paris and read the diary until the last section of the book. I didn't really connect to Andi, because I got no sense of who she was. Alexandrine's story within the novel, though occasionally cliche, was full of action and intrigue and suspense, and you come to care about her life. It's unfortunate, because if Andi's angst was toned down and she was forced to confront more than her angst, I feel that the story would have had a greater emotional impact.

That criticism aside, I do highly recommend this book. The author did their research with history and despite my reservations about the character of Andi, I could hardly put the book down. There was some really beautiful writing and history and Revolution, despite its problems, was an emotional story about about the repetition of the past, guilt, grieving, and love.

The Letters of Marie Antoinette: A Comparison of Two English Collections

2011-03-17T15:22:00.000-07:00

Although much of Marie Antoinette's correspondence remains untranslated into English, those of us without an understanding of French do have a few choices when it comes to reading translated primary sources from the queen and her associates.

Today, I'm going to be comparing two of these English translated collections: The Secrets of Marie Antoinette: A Collection of Letters by Olivier Bernier (Also published under the title Imperial Mother, Royal Daughter: The Correspondence of Marie Antoinette and Maria Theresa) and There Were Three of Us in the Relationship: The Secret Letters of Marie Antoinette by Margaret Anne Macleod.

Both of these books have the same premise: The book is filled with selected letters between Marie Antoinette, Maria Theresa, and the Austrian ambassador Mercy. Through these letters, the reader can gain a deeper understanding of Marie Antoinette's life, personality, and the politics of Versailles.

Secrets of Marie Antoinette is comprised almost solely of the letters between Maria Theresa, Marie Antoinette, and Mercy. There are a few letters from Joseph II to his brother Leopold, some of these which Three of Us does not include. Three of Us, in addition to the trio's correspondence, also includes extracts from Madame Campan's memoirs, Joseph II's letters, a report of the death of Maria Theresa as written by one of her daughters, and occasionally other related sources. Three of Us also includes more of Mercy's letters, including more of the private correspondence - called "secret letters" in the book - between Maria Theresa and Mercy. I have not physically counted, but I believe Three of Us includes more letters - in terms of number and length - than Secrets of Marie Antoinette.

The authors vary on their treatment of Marie Antoinette and on the inclusion of their own interpretation of events in the book. Macleod is more neutral and keeps most of her own opinions to a minimum, which lets the reader form their own interpretation on events. Bernier, however, was harder on Marie Antoinette. He refers more than once as a "nagger," and placing the blame of the violent downturn of the revolution on her "meddling."

Although Bernier was more biased, I do feel that Secrets of Marie Antoinette would be an easier read of the two for someone not already acquainted with the general history of Marie Antoinette and the events inside/outside Versailles during the 1770-1780 time period. Bernier's book includes an introduction that serves as a background and helpful accompaniment to the letters, noting key events and figures that are going to be mentioned, and explaining their importance. He also includes an afterword discussing the unfortunate events that followed Maria Theresa's death. Bernier provides frequent footnotes and occasional explanatory paragraphs after key events as well.

Macleod, on the other hand, tends to interject with author's edits written directly into the letters - [Edit: Brief sentence about the situation the reader needs] - and includes the occasional footnote. She is not very consistent with what she chooses to explain... for instance she may give the reader necessary information about a foreign event Maria Theresa brings up, but say nothing about a person Marie Antoinette is criticized for favoring, leaving the reader to research on their own. Macleod provides a glossary and time line of events at the end of her book, however, these are (literally!) written in all caps in a confusing, clipped manner and are not very reader friendly.

Both volumes do abridge some of the letters, particularly Mercy's reports (which could get lengthy) but I have noticed several cases when comparing the letters, where a short paragraph or sentence is missing from one, but the other book does not indicate abridgment.

Here is a short comparison of the same letter as written in each book:

--

Bernier's translation:

Marie Antoinette to Maria Theresa, 15 November 1771

Madame my very dear mother,

I am deeply touched by what you so kindly wrote me about my birthday. I especially want to follow the good advice you give me, my dear Mama. ... I do not think I did wrong when I gave in to my impulse and told the little secret to M. le Dauphin! I did not sound reproachful, but he was still a little embarrassed. I still hope for the best; he really loves me and does everything I want, and will conclude everything when he feels less awkward ...

When I wrote to you, dear Mama, that I needed no advice when it came to behaving properly, I meant that I had not consulted my aunts. However friendly my feelings for them, they can never compare to those I have for my loving and respectable mother; I do not think I am blind to their failings, but I think that they have been greatly exaggerated.

Although the condition of the Queen [of Naples] often makes me think about mine, I still share my dear sister's joy. Ever since the summer, the trips and the hunt have stopped me from reading regularly; I have still read something almost every day.

The comtesse de Provence's smallpox went very well; she will hardly bear any marks. I saw her before she left for La Muette, with the consent of the King and M. le Dauphin ...

Macleod's translation:

Marie Antoinette to Maria Theresa, 15 November 1771

My dear mother,

I was touched by what you said about my birthday. I want above all to profit from your good advice, my dear mother. The letter from my brother [Edit: Ferdinand] gave me such pleasure that I cannot describe it; it seems to me that I love him even more for it; he will certainly be a good husband, and will make his wife happy. I do not believe I was wrong to give in to my immediate thought and tell Me. le dauphin the little secret! [Edit: Maria Theresa believed that Ferdinand's wife would soon be pregnant] I did not speak reproachfully, however he was a little embarrassed. I am still hopeful; he loves me a great deal and does all I want and will succeed when he is less awkward.

I can certainly assure you that, although I showed you my sensitivity quite vividly, it was only sensitivity. The friends of that creature cannot complain that I treat them badly.

When I wrote to you, my dear mother, that I did not need advice on how to be polite, I meant that I had not consulted my aunts. No matter how much friendship I feel for them, I will never compare them to my loving and respectable mother; I do not believe I am blind to their faults, but I believe people exaggerate them to you.

Although the Queen's condition often makes me think of mine, I still share my dear sister's joy. [Edit: Caroline in Naples was pregnant]

Since summer the trips and hunting have prevented me from doing regular reading; however I have read something almost every day.

I cannot tell you, my dear mother, how much I desire and hope to give you as much sanctification as my brother and sister. [Edit: that is, become pregnant]

--

As you can see, the letters are slightly different in each book. Translations aside, Bernier has abridged several portions of this letter that Macleod includes in her translation. Macleod did not note the abridgment of the paragraph about the comtesse de Provence, which Bernier has included, and is present in the original French letter. However, I don't know if the removal of text in the letters without noting an abridgment is an intentional move by the authors, an oversight, or a result of the sources the authors used being abridged (and not noted) themselves.

In the end, I think that each book brings something different to the reader - so which book to get? It depends on what you are looking for.

The Secrets of Marie Antoinette will probably appeal more to someone wanting to read these primary sources in English for the first time, because they are smoothly translated, and Bernier provides a background to the history. The letters in There Were Three of Us in the Relationship are more complete, and the book will appeal more to the reader who is interested in even the little details of Mercy's reports, which Bernier's book often excludes. Both, despite some flaws, are excellent choices for any historical library.

Spotlight: Dairy Queens: The Politics of Pastoral Architecture from Catherine de' Medici to Marie-Antoinette

2011-03-12T12:14:00.000-08:00

Dairy Queens: The Politics of Pastoral Architecture from Catherine de Medici to Marie Antoinette by Meredith Martin

In a lively narrative that spans more than two centuries, Meredith Martin tells the story of a royal and aristocratic building type that has been largely forgotten today: the pleasure dairy of early modern France. These garden structures—most famously the faux-rustic, white marble dairy built for Marie-Antoinette’s Hameau at Versailles—have long been dismissed as the trifling follies of a reckless elite. Martin challenges such assumptions and reveals the pivotal role that pleasure dairies played in cultural and political life, especially with respect to polarizing debates about nobility, femininity, and domesticity. Together with other forms of pastoral architecture such as model farms and hermitages, pleasure dairies were crucial arenas for elite women to exercise and experiment with identity and power.

Opening with Catherine de’ Medici’s lavish dairy at Fontainebleau (c. 1560), Martin’s book explores how French queens and noblewomen used pleasure dairies to naturalize their status, display their cultivated tastes, and proclaim their virtue as nurturing mothers and capable estate managers. Pleasure dairies also provided women with a site to promote good health, by spending time in salubrious gardens and consuming fresh milk. Illustrated with a dazzling array of images and photographs, Dairy Queens sheds new light on architecture, self, and society in the ancien régime. (Production Description from Harvard University Press)

I hope I get to read this one soon. I will probably wait until I can borrow it from a library, because of the higher price tag, but for now Google Books provides a preview of what looks to be an interesting look into the politics of "royal" dairies.

Book News: Becoming Marie Antoinette by Juliet Grey

2011-03-09T12:24:00.000-08:00

I was finally able to uncover some information about the upcoming novel, Becoming Marie Antoinette, by Juliet Grey. It's been listed on Amazon for some time now, but unfortunately without any information other than the title and the author!

Passages to the Past provides a description:

Marie Antoinette’s brief (though dramatic) life of thirty-eight years was crammed with myriad joys and sorrows both private and public. Much has been written of her years as Queen of France, of her frivolity, her passion for excess, and the financial heedlessness that won her the nickname “Madame Deficit.” But until now, no one has devoted an entire novel to the story of Marie Antoinette’s youth, of her idyllic childhood as Maria Antonia, an archduchess of Austria and the youngest daughter of Empress Maria Theresa, a porcelain-skinned, blonde and blue-eyed boisterous hoyden among a dozen siblings. Author Juliet Grey’s novel is about Marie Antoinette’s often rocky and emotionally arduous journey from girl to woman—from cosseted and indulged child to rambunctious and stubborn teen to supremely self-possessed adult—beginning with the spring day in 1766 when she learns the exciting but terrifying news that she will one day marry the dauphin of France and ending on the terrifying but exciting day in May 1774 when she becomes its queen upon the death of her grandfather-in-law, Louis XV.

Her young life was a long series of hurdles. She sailed over a few of them with grace and equanimity. But some she stumbled over, although she was able to pick herself up and prepare herself to approach the next one. Still other hurdles tripped her up entirely and she metaphorically fell flat on her face. And no sooner did she rise and resume her stride when she was confronted with yet another hurdle. The novel is set first amid the familiar comforts of the Austrian imperial court in Vienna and later at the gilded splendor and manicured gardens of Versailles, a treacherous labyrinth of backbiting, gossip and intrigue, young Antoinette’s myriad interconnected relationships are each fraught with a dramatic tension all their own: that of a formidable and powerful mother and a naïve daughter who needs to take quite a journey (both literal and metaphorical) before she comes into her own; of a pair of devoted young sisters torn apart by political expedience; of a pair of teenage spouses who begin their married lives as complete strangers, neither loving the other, and who must discover how to build an enduring partnership despite their inability to start a family, while their ongoing celibacy is the talk of all Europe; of the tensions between a pretty and bubbly young foreigner in a strange land and her jealous new in-laws; and of the rivalry between the highest ranking lady in France (the vivacious dauphine Antoinette) and the most influential woman in the kingdom, the king’s gorgeous mistress Madame duBarry.

The character of Marie Antoinette presents such delicious contradictions in terms that she is a novelist’s dream. Possessed of a proud temperament, she was nonetheless desperate to please, and in doing so was often too eager to place her trust in the hands of those who were not in fact her confidantes, but who wished her harm instead. She would brook no contradiction, yet was vulnerable to criticism; a frivolous creature who was also the most generous member of the French royal family when it came to helping the poor. She was stubborn and willful, yet playful and adorably charming; regal, yet empathetic; loyal, yet confounded by the dual roles she was often expected to play. She was a natural beauty who according to her own mother was in dire need of painful physical improvements in order to enhance her looks; born to rule, yet shockingly unprepared to do so when the time came to fulfill her ultimate destiny.

I'm always excited for new Marie Antoinette fiction, and this one is set to be a trilogy so it's triple the excitement! This first book is slated to come out August 9th, 2011, with the following books anticipated to be released in 2012 and 2013.

Giveaway: Farewell My Queen by Chantal Thomas

2011-03-07T16:48:00.000-08:00

Farewell My Queen Giveaway!

What better way to celebrate the upcoming film adaptation of Les Adieux à la reine than to host a giveaway of the book! This giveaway is for the English translation of the novel, Farewell My Queen by Chantal Thomas.

As revolution rages outside the palace walls, inside the court of Versailles--the court of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI--denial reigns before giving way to alarm, which in turn degenerates into panic and chaos. Thomas spins the familiar events of the 1789 French Revolution into a compelling novel, with the central character less the famously ill-fated queen than the insular and ritualized society of the palace. The story is told by a woman looking back 30 years, to when it was her job to read books aloud to Marie Antoinette. Her status as courtier makes her the best kind of narrator--at once an insider and an observer of the royals. She describes the final days before revolution engulfs the palace with insight and surprising slices of humor. Some passages read almost like satire, as the indulged inhabitants of Versailles cling to the privileges that have defined their now-threatened lives--royals are reluctant to leave the palace without proper traveling attire, courtiers try to flee while lugging heavy possessions. Thomas' formidable skills as a researcher give the book authenticity, and her keen eye for human behavior and talent for storytelling make it sing.
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Giveaway Information for Tumblr and Blogspot:

The prize will be a gently used paperback copy of Farewell My Queen by Chantal Thomas.

This giveaway is open to readers within the USA and living internationally, provided they are users of Blogspot or Tumblr. The winner will be chosen using Random.org.

To Enter:

There are two ways to enter, and and each way includes a chance to increase your odds of winning!

Note: Only logged-in entries will be considered valid, please do not enter without logging into your blogspot or tumblr account. If you are posting about this giveaway to ensure another entry, please include the link when you fill out the form.

Blogspot Users: Comment on the Farewell My Queen Giveaway post using your blogspot account with your name (account or first name) and email. To enter twice: Post about this giveaway on your blog!

OR

Tumblr Users: Comment on the Ask Post of Treasure for Your Pleasure using your tumblr account with your name (account or first name) and email. To enter twice: Reblog the tumblr Giveaway Post or post about it on your tumblr!

The contest ends March 13th at 11 pm EST. The winner will be chosen and announced on both of my blogs on March 14th.

Book Review: The Princess in the Tower by Sharon Stewart

2011-03-07T11:15:00.000-08:00

"They want me to remember everything that happened, and to write it all down. Do they think I could forget any of it? My god, do they think I don't wake up in the dark of night, remembering? ... I will give them the account they want. ... But my own deepest feelings I will not tell them. Not for them this story, the real story, of our journey from sunshine to shadow..."

The Princess in the Tower by Sharon Stewart begins in October 1795, as the young princess, Marie Therese Charlotte, is told to write her account of the last tumultuous years of her family's life. She agrees, but is determined only to give them the cold facts, and not her true memoir. The "true memoir" is the book. The reader is then quickly taken back to June 1789, much happier days for the princess and her young brother, Louis Charles. But the days are not so happy for their parents, Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI, nor for the adult world inside and outside the palace. Although the children are largely ignorant of what's really taking place, and are content to play games of hide and seek in the narrow servant's corridors, the events of the revolution quickly force the harsh reality into their lives. The revolution takes Therese and her family from the glitter of Versailles to imprisonment in the Temple tower, and she must struggle to remain strong as everyone she loves is taken from her - all the while wondering, "Will I be killed next?"

This book was initially published as The Dark Tower, but was republished under its new name as a part of the Beneath the Crown series. The series, intended to be similar to The Royal Diaries, was short-lived - only three books were published before the line was discontinued.

I'm glad it was republished by Scholastic as a Beneath the Crown book, because otherwise I might never have come across it while browsing Scholastic's web pages! I really enjoyed this book, particularly because it was from the perspective of royal couple's daughter and not (as it tends to be) from Marie Antoinette's point of view.

Although the book was similar to the style of books in the The Royal Diaries series, it was not told in a day-by-day diary format, but instead in a series of longer memoir chapters. This was not a problem, however, as Stewart's writing style keeps the events moving and alive. Stewart was able to capture the voice of the young princess as she grows from a childish, somewhat spoiled girl into a teenager who had gone lost everything and everyone in her life.

Naturally, many historical events and characters were simplified or tweaked for this book, because of its intended age range. The only historical change that I definitely did not agree with was Stewart's complete removal of Louis Joseph and Sophie, Marie Antoinette's other children. The book's events began in June of 1789, the month that Louis Joseph died, but there wasn't mention of him throughout the entire book. I admit I'm baffled at completely ignoring their existence entirely, because their deaths, and Louis Joseph's in particular, would have had such an impact on Marie Therese and her family.

I do highly recommend this book, however, because it does provide an intimate perspective on Marie Therese's childhood and personal growth throughout the revolution. I believe that younger and older readers will enjoy this read for the fresh material and different point of view it brings.

Book Review: Versailles by Kathryn Davis

2011-03-06T15:13:00.001-08:00

Versailles: A Novel by Kathryn Davis is not your everyday historical epic about Marie Antoinette. It tells the story of the ill-fated queen in a series of scenes and vignettes, supplemented with several poems and play scenes. She begins as a 14 year old girl on her way to the splendid palace of Versailles, and ends as a ghost of her former self, walking up the steps to the guillotine. In between, we learn of her hopes and dreams, her fears, her life as she moves from gilded room to gilded room at Versailles, or breathes the fresh air at her beloved Petit Trianon.

This was such a different read for me. I was hesitant at first, because I wasn't sure that the writing style would hold up for the entire novel, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much the prose sucked me into the world Davis has crafted.

Although Versailles covered her life from birth to death - and after - it did so in a refreshing, experimental way. Unfortunately, the detailed nature of many historical novels can leave the reader feeling dry and overwhelmed. Davis' brief style was very engaging and a completely different take on how to write a historical story. Most of the vignettes were told from Marie Antoinette's point of view, but it never felt stale or static. Davis carefully cultivated Marie Antoinette's changes and growth, resulting in a human portrait of a woman who gained more courage in several years than many will ever do in a lifetime. Marie Antoinette's words were alternatively charming, passionate, witty - and as the revolution waged on, desperate, somber, and finally, haunting.

Unlike a typical historical novel, Davis assumed the reader has a familiarity with the subject. This decision did make for a more lively read, as there didn't need to be additional paragraphs explaining the details of every event in her life. However, this could be a hindrance to those who are not familiar with the history. For example, Davis did not stop to explain that Marie Antoinette had two sons, so the reappearance of "the Dauphin" after he (Louis Joseph) was described as dying may confuse some readers. Davis didn't describe political situations at length, nor did she take much time explaining historical characters... in some ways, felt like a novel for those who have studied her life, or at least the time period. I did appreciate that Davis touched on the subject of historical debate - of course, using Marie Antoinette's witty prose to make her point. Marie Antoinette takes a jab on the speculation surrounding her alleged affair with Axel Fersen: "Nor does it matter, really, if Axel was my lover, in the physical sense at least... It matters to historians, most of them men. It matters to gossips, most of them women. The pleasure is in the speculation... Were we sexually intimate? What difference could it possibly make to you?"

This novel may not be for everyone. If you are looking for a detailed fictional account of Marie Antoinette's life, I don't recommend this book. But if you are hoping to find something new in the world of Marie Antoinette fiction, I highly recommend picking it up!

Book Review: The Lacemaker and the Princess by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

2011-03-06T01:10:00.000-08:00

The Lacemaker and the Princess by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley tells the story of Isabelle, a young, third generation lacemaker living in Paris. She is sent to deliver lace to the Princess de Lamballe at the palace of Versailles, but is nearly trampled by courtiers who are in a mad rush to see the queen. It is the queen herself who comes to Isabelle's rescue, and invites her to play with her own daughter, the princess Marie Therese Charlotte. Isabelle is invited to return to the palace each day, and she enjoys the luxury and privilege only afforded to a select few in France.

But Isabelle begins to struggle with the complete opposition of her two separate lives. At Versailles, she is the playmate of a princess. She is dressed in fine clothing, and fed more food at one royal supper than her family eats in several weeks. in Paris, she lives in a small home with her mother and grandmother, both of whom need more and more help to keep up with the tedious and even painful task of making the fine laces that drip from the gowns at Versailles.

As revolution brews in Paris and at court, Isabelle herself begins to wonder: Is it fair for some to live in luxury, while others mere miles away starve to death?

This is one of my favorite youth novels set during the French Revolution. The focus on Marie Antoinette's daughter was a pleasant change from the flood of Marie Antoinette in fiction, as was the inclusion of Ernestine, an actual girl that Marie Antoinette raised alongside her real daughter. Brubaker greatly surprised me by not relying on stereotypes or black and white morality when approaching the subject of the revolution. It's a very refreshing change from typical youth fiction set in this time period! She does not condemn any particular point of view, and allows Isabelle - and the reader - to make their own judgments about the revolutionaries, the royal family, and the revolution itself.

My only complaint about this novel is that the ending seemed strangely quick and abrupt. I wonder if perhaps Brubaker was told to "wrap things up" by an editor and condense the last events of the novel into a few brief pages, because the rest of the book was written at a nice pace, even for adult readers.

That small complaint aside, I can't recommend this book more highly for youth or adult readers. It really seems like one of "those" books that gets a younger reader more interested in history, and I truly hope it will be!

revamp!

2011-03-06T01:08:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the revamped Reading Treasure: A Marie Antoinette Book Blog!

I hope to make this newly revamped blog an active companion to my regular Marie Antoinette blog, Treasure For Your Pleasure. I will be shifting my focus from a static book guide to a blog full of book reviews, news, weekly book spotlights, book giveaways, and more!

The static book guides will be kept up, though they are woefully out of date! I do keep my GoodReads as up to date as I can, so please feel free to check out the link on the sidebar.

Have a great day!

static and closed book guide

2011-03-06T00:45:00.000-08:00

These are the links to my now closed static book guide. If you're interested in recommendations, please feel free to look through these pages, this blog, or my GoodReads linked from this blog.

Non-Fiction
Marie Antoinette
The Royal Family of Louis XVI
Related Figures and People
The Revolution (Misc Topics)
Late 17th-Early 18th Century France**

Fiction
Marie Antoinette
The Royal Family of Louis XVI
Related Figures and People
The Revolution
Other Related Topics

Primary Sources

Public Domain Works
Fiction
Non-Fiction

** Updates for all lists are now exclusively at GoodReads**

Please see this page for books, including public domain, that I've been unable to find sufficient information for.

Books that Need Information

Changes!

2010-08-11T21:58:00.000-07:00

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

Due to an overwhelming amount of books for certain topics on this blog, I decided to migrate the bulk of my updating over to GoodReads. It was simply too much for me to to right up summaries of so many books!

However: This current blog guide will remain up and partially updated for select lists, such as Marie-Antoinette, the royal family, as well as public domain books and some primary sources.

If you don't have a GoodReads account or aren't sure what it is, it's like a virtual social library! You can view and make bookshelves, lists, and all sorts of neat things

How to use the Bookshelves/Tagging System to find books:

F - Fiction
NF - Non-Fiction
Personal - my personal reading (Not necessarily about the French Revolution, Marie-Antoinette, etc.)

Each book will have a minimum of two tags: one of the forced Goodreads tags (read, to-read, currently reading) and one that designates both the book's general topic and whether it is fiction or non-fiction. For example, a non-fiction book about the French Revolution will be under nf-french-revolution. A non-fiction biography about Robespierre will be under nf-revolution-biography. Occasionally, a book will have more than one topic tag. I've been toying with the idea of making more specific bookshelves, especially for the large revolution bookshelf, but right now all french revolution books (minus women's studies/rights) are under that general shelf.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to tell me, and I hope the GoodReads is useful for anyone looking for books to read! :)

Non-Fiction: 17th-19th Century France

2010-05-25T18:00:00.000-07:00

Versailles: A Biography of a Palace by Tony Spawforth

The story of the plans, building, alterations, and fall of the palace of Versailles.

Fiction: Other Topics

2010-05-25T17:55:00.000-07:00

The Ghosts Of Trianon by C. A. Moberley and Elinor F. Jourdain

The account of two Englishwomen who claimed to have experience a paranormal "time travel" event while walking around the grounds of the palace of Versailles. (Reprint of their original text.)

The Diamond by Julie Baumgold

The fictional tale of journey of the regent diamond, rumored to be cursed. (Focuses on Napoleon, but does touch on the French royal family and Marie Antoinette.)

Non-Fiction: Related Figures

2010-05-25T17:40:00.000-07:00

The court of Louis XVI

A Scented Palace: The Secret History of Marie Antoinette's Perfumer by Elisabeth de Feydeau

A unique look at the final years of the ancient regime in France, through the eyes of the queen's official perfumer, Jean-Louis Fargeon.

Anne Vallayer Coster: Painter to the Court of Marie Antoinette

The catalog of the first exhibition devoted to Anne Vallayer-Coster includes 175 color and 50 black-and-white reproductions of her work, as well as several essays about the artist and her popularity among 18th century collectors - including Marie Antoinette, who became the artist's most important patron.

The court of Louis XV

Madame du Barry: the Wages of Beauty by Joan Haslip

A brief, romantic biography about the last mistress of Louis XV.

Primary Sources

2010-05-25T17:26:00.000-07:00

Public Domain Memoirs and Letters

Narrative of Marie Therese de France, Duchesse d'Angouleme

Journal of the Tower of the Temple, by Clery

Life and Letters of Madame Elisabeth de France

Memoirs of the Court of Marie Antoinette by Madame Campan

Diary and correspondence of Count Axel Fersen: relating to the court of France

The guardian of Marie Antoinette; letters from Comte de Mercy-Argenteau, Austrian ambassador to the court of Versailles, to Marie Therese, empress of Austria, 1770-1780

Recollections of Leonard, hairdresser to Queen Marie Antoinette

Memoirs of the Duchess de Tourzel, governess to the children of France during the years 1789-1793 and 1795

Narrative of Rosalie Lamorliere, servant at the Concergerie August - October 1793

Memoirs of Madame Vigee Lebrun

Memoirs of the Countess de Valois de La Motte: Containing a Compleat Justification of Her Conduct, and an Explanation of the Intrigues and Artifices Used Against Her by Her Enemies, Relative to the Diamond Necklace by Comtesse de Valois de La Motte

A lady in waiting : being extracts from the diary of Julie de Chesnil, sometime lady in waiting to her Majesty, Queen Marie Antoinette by Charles Woodcock-Savage

Court Memoirs of France Series — Complete (Memoirs of Marguerite de Valois — Memoirs of Cardinal de Retz — Memoirs of Madame de Montespan — Memoirs Louis XIV, by Duch d'Orleans — Memoirs of Louis XIV, by Saint-Simon — Memoirs Louis XV./XVI, by Hausset — Memoirs Marie Antoinette, by Campan — Memoirs of Court of St. Cloud.)

Letter Translations (Books)

There were Three of Us in the Relationship: The Secret Letters of Marie Antoinette (vol I) by Margaret Anne MacLeod

A book of selected letters from the empress Maria Theresa, ambassador Mercy, and Marie Antoinette. This book includes many letters previously untranslated into English.

Secrets of Marie Antoinette: A Collection of Letters by Olivier Bernier

A collection of letters by Marie Antoinette and empress Maria Theresa.

Imperial Mother, Royal Daughter: Correspondence Between Marie Antoinette and Maria Theresa by Olivier Bernier

Another collection of letters between Marie Antoinette and Maria Theresa.

Other

Gazette des atours de Marie-Antoinette de 1782

A reproduction of a register, which once belonged to Madame d’Ossun, the Lady-in-Waiting responsible for the attire of Marie-Antoinette, dated 1782, containing different pieces of fabric used for the wardrobe of the Queen. (As far as I know the book does not contain reproduction fabric, but scans of the fabric pieces themselves. French text is untranslated.)

Information Needed

2010-05-25T17:22:00.001-07:00

I've been unable to find any real information - reviews, summaries, etc - for these books. Any help would be gratefully appreciated!

Books: (Some might be public domain?)

Marie Antoinette by Katharine Anthony

The personal life of Marie Antoinette / Charles Kunstler ; translated from the French by Margot Robert Adamson

Marie Antoinette : a drama in three acts / by W. Kelly

Marie Antoinette by Francis Bickley

Marie Antoinette, by John E. N. Hearsey

Marie Antoinette by Philippe Huisman and Marguerite Jallut; [translated from the French]

Marie Antoinette by Manuel Komroff and Odette Komroff

Marie Antoinette: The Tragic Queen by Dorothy Moulton Mayer

Farewell Toinette by Bertita Harding

Queen of the Trianon : the story of Marie Antoinette by Iian DB Pilkington

Madame Elisabeth Of France by Yvonne De La Vergne

Louis XVI or The End of a World Bernard Fay

Fear No More by Hester W. Chapman

Kings' Masque by Evan John

Galéries des Modes 1778-1787, edited by Stella Blum

Free/Public Domain Books:

Though for most public domain books, I've been able to read prefaces and skim through to get an idea of their subject, for some I haven't been able to really classify them... If you have any further information about them (editorial descriptions, if you know they are fiction/non-fiction, biographies, etc) I would greatly appreciate anything you can tell me!

The False Chevalier or The Lifeguard of Marie Antoinette by William Douw Lighthall
http://www.archive.org/details/falsechevaliero00lighgoog

The Age of Marie Antoinette: A Sketch of the Period of European Revival Which Claims Among Its Representatives: Goethe, Prudhon, Gainsborough, and Mozart by Charles Newton Scott
http://www.archive.org/details/agemarieantoine00scotgoog

Marie Antoinette, the queen by Pierre de Nolhac
http://www.archive.org/details/marieantoinetteq00nolhuoft ** I know this is non-fiction, but the Archive.org version cuts off about halfway through the book itself. I'm looking for a full copy!

Fiction: The Revolution

2010-05-25T17:12:00.000-07:00

The Frenchwoman by Jeanne Mackin

"As a seamstress in the court of Queen Marie Antoinette, Julienne marries a young officer who fought with Lafayette in America, and when he dies, she flees to Pennsylvania where Royalists try to recreate their lives in France."

Mistress of the Revolution by Catherine Delors

The noblewoman Gabrielle de Montserrat, married off to an abusive rich husband, becomes entangled in the court of Louis XVI, and caught between her current status and her former love, now a lawyer on the Revolutionary Tribunal, as the Revolution forms around them.

The Queen's Dollmaker by Christine Trent

The story of Claudette, dollmaker who is lured into revolutionary intrigues and dangerous friendships after returning home to Paris when the queen herself requests a meeting to discuss Claudette's exquisitely made dolls.

In the reign of terror : the adventures of a Westminster boy by G.A. Henry

A young adult historical novel about (you guessed it) the adventures of a Westminster boy during the French Revolution.

Bluebird; or, the Invention of Happiness by Sheila Kohler.

"A tale based on the life of an eighteenth-century aristocrat finds Frenchwoman Lucy Dillon using her beauty and wit to gain entry into [exclusive] circles ... and struggling to protect her family during the Revolution when her contemporaries, including Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, are executed."

The Glass-Blowers by Daphne de Maurier

"... The tale of the Busson family, master glass-blowers ... leading up to and through the French Revolution. Told through the POV of Sophie, [a daughter] as she looks back on her life ..."

The Red Necklace by Sally Gardner
A historical fantasy about a 14 year old voice-thrower and mind reader, whose life is torn apart by the French revolution. His life is intertwined with a debt-ridden marquis, his daughter, and a dangerous count.

The Silver Blade by Sally Gardner

A sequel to The Red Necklace. Yann returns to France in 1794 to smuggle out aristocratic refugees, while dealing with a thwarted marriage, strange kidnappings, and the violence of the Revolution.

Dish Taken Cold by Anne Perry
Just days before the French Revolution, Celie’s baby dies when her friend leaves the baby alone to meet her lover. Later, amidst the Prussian invasion of Paris and the height of the bloody terror, Celie learns the true meaning of revenge.

City of Darkness, City of Light by Marge PIercy
"Depicting the experiences of three brave women – Clair, an actress; Manon, wife of a bureaucrat with her own mind for politics; and Pauline, owner of a chocolate shop – Piercy explores the human reality of the French Revolution, bringing to life the immense role women played in bringing down the monarchy. Their three stories are deftly braided with the lives of three men – the incorruptible Robespierre, the opportunistic Danton and Nicolas Caritat, an academician trying to walk the high wire between old and new."

The Eight by Katherine Neville
"A young novice during the French Revolution risks her life to keep a jeweled chess set that Moors gave Charlemagne, and in the 20th century, a computer expert and a chess master try to solve its mystery."

This Splendid Earth by V.J. Banis
"When the vintner de Brussac family must flee after supporting the royalty during the French Revolution, its members take cuttings from the vineyard to California and build a wine empire."

The Scarlet Pimpernel by Emmuska Orczy
A classic tale of adventure and drama, the Scarlet Pimpernel follows hunt for a mysterious man who saves aristocrats from the guillotine during The Terror in Revolutionary France.

Vindication: A Novel by Frances Sherwood

"Publication of A Vindication of the Rights of Women in 1792 made Mary Wollstonecraft the most famous woman in Europe." This compelling fictional biography narrative tells the embellished story of her life.

Fiction: Related Figures

2010-05-25T17:09:00.001-07:00

The court of Louis XV

Madame Du Barry by Jean Plaidy

Another book in the extensive Plaidy historical fiction collection, this book details the life of one of the most (in)famous mistresses of Louis XV.

Louis the Well Beloved by Jean Plaidy

Jean Plaidy takes readers from the death bed of Louis XIV through the coming-of-age and reign of Louis XV, the first in her three-book French Revolution series.

The Road to Compiegne by Jean Plaidy

No longer Louis the Well Beloved, this public's growing resentment toward their former beloved king is the backdrop as the king meets and loses several of his most famous mistresses, such as the influential Madame Pompadour.

Fiction: The Royal Family of Louis XVI

2010-05-25T16:29:00.000-07:00

The Royal Family

The Lacemaker and the Princess by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley *

Eleven-year-old Isabelle, a third-generation lace maker, is rescued by the queen at Versailles after nearly being trampled. She begins a double life - lace maker with her family in the morning and royal companion to Marie Antoinette's daughter in the afternoon. France is on the verge of Revolution as Isabelle struggles with class boundaries, the accusations against the royal family, and her own family's trouble.

Madame Royale by Elena Maria Vidal

A continuation of Vidal's Trianon, this novel follows the journey of the daughter of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, Marie Therese Charlotte after the death of both her parents.

The Princess in the Tower (Beneath the Crown) by Sharon Stewart

In the tradition of The Royal Diaries series, this young adult book is the diary of the daughter of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

The Black Tower by Louis Bayard.

A historical mystery revolving around the possible survival of Louis-Charles in 19th century France.

The Prince Lost to Time by Ann Dukthus (1995)

Nicholas Segalla time travels to 18th century France, where the dauphin, Louis Charles, is abducted.

Non-Fiction: The Royal Family

2010-05-21T20:41:00.000-07:00

Louis XVI

The Life and Death of Louis XVI Saul K. Padover

A sympathetic biography that tells the story of the king and father, his life, his family, and his final days.

The King's Trial: Louis XVI vs. The Revolution by David P. Jordan

A riveting account of the turbulent years of 1792-1793, and what the author considers one of the most significant trials in the French Revolution.

Louis XVI, Marie-Antoinette, and the French Revolution (Rulers and Their Times) by Nancy Plain

A children's book that tries to tackle the three subjects of Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, and the French Revolution all at once.

Louis XVI by John Hardman.

Hardman paints a portrait of the king that is not the dumb nor lazy caricature that some historians portray. This book also gives a masterful analysis the royal government during the last years of the old regime and the early years of the revolution.

Louis XVI: The Silent King (Reputations) by John Hardman

Another book about Louis XVI by Hardman, this work draws from new evidence from Louis XVI's letters and other correspondence, giving a new reconstruction on the king's political thoughts, character, and personality.

Regicide and Revolution: Speeches at the Trial of Louis XVI by Micheal Walzer

Walzer defends the trial and public execution of Louis XVI as an essential part of the French Revolution - as it not only tried to destroy the mystique of the monarchy, but it required the revolutionary deputies to apply their rules of judicial process to establish equality in the eyes of the law.

Marie Therese Charlotte

Marie Therese: Child of Terror by Susan Nagel *

An engaging biography about the daughter of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, the sole survivor of the royal family in the Temple Prison. This biography also touches on the myth of the "Dark Countess," and briefly on the fate of Louis Charles, the dauphin.

Marie Antoinette's Daughter by Alice Desmond

An older biography of Marie Therese Charlotte.

Louis Charles

The Lost King of France: How DNA solved the Mystery of the Murdered Son of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette by Deborah Cadbury *

Both biography of Louis Charles' short life and an investigation into his possible rescue and ultimate fate, this book takes off when it describes the many men who claimed to be the "lost" dauphin, their attempts to contact the royal family or even set up a court of their own, and finally the DNA evidence that was finally used to put the case - in most people's eyes - to rest.

Public Domain: Non-Fiction

2010-05-21T14:29:00.000-07:00

Marie Antoinette

Maria Antoinette by John S.C. Abbott

A general biography of her life, with a brief afterword discussing the fate of her children and closet relations.

Marie Antoinette and the end of the old regime by Imbert de Saint-Amand

Account of Marie Antoinette from the birth of the dauphin to the royal family's removal from Versailles.

Marie Antoinette by Hilaire Belloc

"Belloc's work spans from her birth to her trial and conviction for blocking the efforts at establishing a French democracy, the result of which ends with her tragic death on the guillotine. Belloc's work is an interesting and historical look at an important time for the country of France as seen through the life of its last Queen."

Marie Antoinette by Alice Birkhead

A simple, general biography aimed at younger readers.

The Last Days of Marie Antoinette: An Historical Sketch by Ronald Sutherland Gower

The final weeks of Marie Antoinette's life in the Conciergerie prison.

The Last Days of Marie Antoinette by G. Lenotre

Recounting Marie Antoinette's final days - from her stay in the Temple Prison to her execution, and the rediscovery and exhumation of her remains. This book also includes various narratives, including those of eyewitnesses and guards, as well as related illustrations.

The life of Marie Antoinette by Maxime de La Rocheterie

The author was originally commissioned to write a review of the correspondence between Mercy and Maria Theresa, he went on to research the life of the queen.

Marie Antoinette by Clara Tschudi (1898)

Translated from Norweigan, this biography examines her life, both her youthful frivolity and determined strength in her final years. "Her life falls into two sharply defined portions: twenty years of triumph, which cost her five years of martyrdom."

Marie Antoinette: The woman and the queen by Sarah Tytler

A generally sympathetic biography of the queen, discussing both her private and public life. The book also briefly discusses the fate of the remaining family in the Temple Tower.

The Life of Marie Antoinette, Queen of France by Charles Duke Yonge

A prose-heavy, sympathetic biography published in 1876, relying principally on collections of letters to describe the life of Marie Antoinette.

Marie-Antoinette, her early youth (1770-1774) by Lady Helene A.M. Younghusband

Regarding the early years of Marie Antoinette's departure from Austria and life as dauphine in France. Intended for general readers, as the author says, "who, taking a genuine interest in Marie-Antoinette and her surroundings, have neither leisure nor opportunity for seeking out and studying the best authorities."

The Diamond Necklace Affair

Marie Antoinette and the diamond necklace from another point of view by F. de Albini

An attempt at an impartial analysis of the Affair of the Necklace, by examining the character of the people involved.

The diamond necklace by Frantz Funck-Brenanto

An account of the diamond necklace affair.

Cagilostro and company: A sequel to the story of the diamond necklace by Frantz Funck-Brentano

Rather than focusing on the queen, this book seeks to tell the stories and eventual fates of the other key players in the affair of the diamond necklace.

The story of the diamond necklace, told in detail for the first time, by the aid of contemporary memoirs, original letters, and official and other documents; and comprising a sketch of the life of the Countess de la Motte, pretended confidant of Marie-Antoinette, with particulars of the careers of the other actors in this remarkable drama (1881) by Henry Vizetelly

One of the first books detailing the affair of the diamond necklace.

Family

The Duchess of Angouleme and the two restorations by Imbert de Saint-Amand

An account of the two restorations of monarchy in France, with a focus on the Duchess of Angouleme.

The Youth of the Duchess of Angouleme by Imbert de Saint Amand

An account of the youth of the Duchess of Angouleme (Marie Therese Charlotte) - both her captivity in the Temple until the end of their first exile from France.

Madame Royale, daughter of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette: Her Youth and Marriage by Ernest Daudet

The life of Marie Therese Charlotte, with a focus on her imprisonment and life after the revolution.

A sister of Marie Antoinette: The life story of Maria Carolina, Queen of Naples by Mary Catherine Bearne

The life of Marie Antoinette's favorite sister, Maria Carolina.

The Revolution

The flight of Marie Antoinette by G. Lenotre

From an author of many 18th century French historical books, this book recounts both Marie Antoinette's relationship to Axel Fersen and the flight to Varennes.

The sufferings of the royal family during the Revolution in France by John Boyd Thacher

Told from various accounts, including eyewitness, this book details the royal family's lives from approximately 1789 until the 1790s, with the death of the king, queen, Madame Elisabeth, and the dauphin Louis Charles.

A Conspiracy Under Terror: Marie Antoinette, Toulan, Jarjayes by Paul Gaulot

A narrative describing three different attempts to save the royal family.

Marie Antoinette's Henchman: The career of Jean Baron de Batz in the French Revolution by Meade Minnigerode

"As to the existence of the conspiracy to defame and dissolve the convention, it cannot possibly be doubted ... at the head of this conspiracy as the Baron de Batz."

Marie Antoinette at the Tuileries, 1789-1791 by Imbert de Saint-Amand

Covering the years 1789 to 1791, while the royal family was living and eventually imprisoned in the Tuileries palace.

Marie Antoinette and the downfall of royalty by Imbert de Saint-Amand

In sequence with his two other "Marie Antoinette" accounts, this book covers the year 1792 to the proclamation of the republic. In addition, the book discusses the fate of Varennes during and after the revolution.

The trials of five queens: Katherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Mary queen of scots, Marie Antoinette, and Caroline of Brunswick by R. Storry Deans

Accounts of various trials of queens, including various transcripts and details of the trials themselves.

Related Family/Friends/Other People

A Friend of the Queen: Marie Antoinette, Count Fersen by Paul Gaulot

The life of Axel Fersen, starting mainly from his introduction to the court of France.

A Friend of Marie Antoinette (Lady Atkyns) by Frederic Barbey

The author, after being accused of fabricating the story for a play, describes the life of a woman he claims tried to rescue Louis XVII from the Temple prison.

The Duc de Lauzun and the court of Marie Antoinette by Gaston Maugras

The life of the Duc de Lauzan as it relates to the court of Marie Antoinette, the revolution, and its aftermath.

The Celebrated Madame Campan: Lady in Waiting to Marie Antoinette and Confidante of Napoleon by Violette M. Montagu

The life of Madame Campan.

Rose Bertin, the creator of fashion at the court of Marie Antoinette by Emile Langlade

The story of the most infamous woman to create dresses for the queen.

Misc Compilation Books (where Marie Antoinette is mentioned among other women people)

Some old love stories: Abraham Lincoln & his wife; Mirabeau & Sophie de Monnier; William Hazlitt & Sarah Walker; Fersen & Marie Antoinette; Carlyle & his wife by T.P. O'Conner

The heroines of history by John Stilwell Jenkins

Portraits of Women by Charles Augustin Saint-Beuve

Royal Women; their history and romance by Mary Ridpath Mann

Enchanters of Men by Ethel Colburn Mayne

Love and lovers of the past by Paul Gaulot

The girl's book of famous queens by Lydia Hoyt Farmer

Public Domain: Fiction

2010-05-21T12:01:00.000-07:00

Marie Antoinette and her Son by Luise Muelbach

An historical fiction of Marie Antoinette and her son. The book begins: It was the 13th of August, 1785. The queen, Marie Antoinette, had at last yielded to the requests and protestations of her dear subjects. She had left her fair Versailles and loved Trianon for one day, and had gone to Paris, in order to exhibit herself and the young prince whom she had borne to the king and the country on the 25th of March, and to receive in the cathedral of Notre Dame the blessing of the clergy and the good wishes of the Parisians ...

Female heroism, a tragedy. In five acts. Founded on revolutionary events that occurred in France, in the summer and autumn of 1793 by Matthew West

A fictional account of various female revolutionary figures, including Marie Antoinette and Charlotte Corday.

Fiction: Marie-Antoinette

2010-05-20T19:22:00.000-07:00

Marie Antoinette, Princess of Versailles, Austria France, 1769 (The Royal Diaries) by Kathryn Lasky *

A diary of an adolescent Marie Antoinette, beginning shortly in Austria after her arranged betrothal and ending in France as the 14 year old girl struggles to cope with the political intrigue of Versailles. A part of The Royal Diaries series.

The Bad Queen: Rules and Instructions for Marie-Antoinette by Carolyn Meyer

A first-person account of the dizzying rise and fall of the last queen of France. A part of Carolyn Meyer's "Young Royals" series.

Flaunting, Extravagant Queen by Jean Plaidy

Sometimes called the Queen of Historical Fiction, Plaidy turns to the story of Marie Antoinette in the third and final book of her "French Revolution" series.

Versailles: A Novel by Kathryn Davis *

A novelization of Marie Antoinette's life, narrated in a variety of sketches, poems, and narratives. A unique, refreshing change of pace from the typical historical novel.

Moi and Marie Antoinette by Lynn Cullen *

An illustrated book told from the perspective of Marie Antoinette's pug dog, Sebastian. With a charming narrative, the pug reveals the boredom that Antoinette faces, even after she becomes queen, and turns to dresses and parties (while ignoring him!) in an attempt to make herself happy.

The Queen's Confession by Victoria Holt

The life of the queen as seen through her eyes, this book does not attempt to excuse the queen, but to explain her.

Farewell, My Queen: A Novel by Chantal Thomas

A vividly painted, detailed story told by a woman who, 30 years after the Revolution, is looking back on her job as a reader to Marie Antoinette. She describes the final days before revolution engulfs the palace with researched insight and sometimes surprising humor.

Abundance, a Novel of Marie Antoinette by Sena Jeter Naslund

Told from a limited Marie Antoinette point of view, Naslund focuses in on Marie Antoinette's intimate life - from her rise as dauphine to her fall as queen.

The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette by Carolly Erickson

Fact is heavily embellished with fiction in this novel where, as the name would suggest, Marie Antoinette's life is told through a "hidden diary."

The Queen's Necklace by Antal Szerb

A fictional portrait of the French aristocracy as it falls towards the Revolution. A fascinating, witty look inside the last court of Versailles.

Saint Marie Antoinette: Innocent Victim of the French Revolution by Robert Connolly

(I'm not entirely sure, but I think this is all fiction?) In this book, Robert Connoly evokes a sense of what it must have been like to be in the shoes of Marie Antoinette during her last years. In eighteen poems placed throughout the text, he evokes her thoughts, feelings, hopes, and fears.

Trianon: A Novel of Royal France by Elena Maria Vidal

A result of years of research, this historical fiction novel attempts to correct many popular misconceptions of the royal couple, with a focus on their religious life.

Love and Terror by Alan Jolis

More properly called historical fantasy than historical fiction, this fictional scandal involves a vanished Marie Antoinette from her cell at the Conciergerie, and a substituted Antoinette look-alike while the police commissioner attempts to find the real queen before the look-alike (a woman he loves) will be sent to the guillotine.

The Marie Antoinette/Revolution Series by Alexandre Dumas

Told in a span of sixth books, classic novelist Alexandre Dumas recounts the revolution through both fictional and historical characters.

The recommended order of the books: Joseph Balsamo, Memoirs of a Physician(vol1 & 2), The Queen's Necklace, Taking the Bastile, The Countess de Charny, The Chevalier/Knight of the Maison-Rouge. Note: It's been recommended that you look for the early English translations published by PF Collier and Sons for the best and most complete versions of these books, as many later translations have either been heavily abridged or poorly translated. I've also read that Memoirs of a Physician is, with the exception of the translation by J.M Dent in the early 1900s, published by Little Brown, missing 30 chapters.

Non-Fiction: The French Revolution (Misc Topics)

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The Fall of the Monarchy

Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette During the Revolution by Nesta Webster *

The second volume of Webster's excellent dual biography of the king and queen before and during the Revolution.

The Fatal Friendship: Marie Antoinette, Count Fersen and the Flight to Varennes by Stanley Loomis

An account of the relationship of Marie Antoinette and Count Fersen, with a major focus on his role in the plan for the royal family's escape which was fatally cut short in Varennes.

The Road from Versailles: Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, and the Fall of the French Monarchy by Munro Price

Munro Price, a specialist on 18th century France, uses memoirs, diaries, and official documents to discuss the true intent of Louis XVI regarding the revolution in France. An exhaustively research study of the diplomatic history of the fall of Louis XVI.

Threshold of Terror: The Last Hours of the Monarchy in the French Revolution by Rodney Allen

A detailed picture of the final hours and collapse of the French monarchy following the attack on the Tuileries Palace on August 10th, 1792.

Traumatic Politics: The Deputies and the King in the Early French Revolution by Barry M. Shapiro

Shapiro addresses a classic question about the failure of constitutional monarchy in France with fresh insights from trauma research - he explores the logic and illogical of political decision making in stressful times.

When the King Took Flight by Timothy Tackett

Tackett skillfully shows how the infamous failed flight of Louis XVI and the royal family, which both destroyed his public image and inspired fear of foreign invasion in France, led to the eventual victory of racialism in revolutionary France.

Women and the French Revolution

Liberty: The Lives and Times of Six Women in Revolutionary France (P.S.) by Lucy Moore

The public and private lives of six women in Revolutionary France.

Rebel Daughters: Women and the French Revolution (Publications of the University of California Humanities Research Institute) by Sara E. Melzer and Leslie W. Rabine

A collection of essays examining the important and paradoxical relation between women and the French Revolution.

Women's Rights and the French Revolution by Sophie Mousset

A biography of Olympe de Gouges, who published "Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen in 1791 and was silenced for her actions.

Women and the Limits of Citizenship in the French Revolution (Donald G. Creighton Lectures) by Olwen H. Hufton

An analysis of the female reaction to revolutionary policy and the male authority's perceptions and misconceptions of women, and how those perceptions limited women in revolutionary society.

The Women of Paris and Their French Revolution (Studies on the History of Society and Culture) by Dominique Godineau

An illumination account of female revolutionaries, the common women who struggled to live while still finding time to demonstrate, participate in assemblies, and fight for recognition as citizens.

Blood Sisters: The French Revolution in Women's Memory by Marilyn Yalom

A thoughtful, heavily quoted, feminist analysis of the French Revolution.

Women and the Public Sphere in the Age of the French Revolution by Joan B. Landes

"This is an outstanding scholarly work by a well-respected scholar of Old Regime France and the role of women in history. ... One of the purpose of this book is to explore the power of rhetoric and the (lack of) influence women were able to exert in pre-Revolutionary and Revolutionary France."

Non-Fiction: Marie Antoinette

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General Biographies

Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette Before the Revolution by Nesta Webster *

The first in an excellent two volume dual biography about the king and queen before and during the Revolution.

Marie Antoinette: The Journey by Antonia Fraser *

An engaging popular historical biography, this sympathetic portrait of Marie Antoinette makes no attempt to hide her shortcomings, while focusing on her personal warmth and noble bearing during her final ordeal.

Marie-Antoinette: A Portrait by Ian Dunlop

An unusually sympathetic portrait of the tragic Queen.

Marie Antoinette by Desmond Seward *

A carefully written biography, Seward does not hide Marie Antoinette's failings - but nor does he twist them to suit a romantic fairy tale or contemporary bias. A bit dated, but a short, informational biography.

Louis and Antoinette by Vincent Cronin

A dual biography that, like Webster's dual biography volumes, recognizes the need to study the king and queen together in order to properly understand their decisions and lives.

Marie Antoinette: The Portrait of an Average Woman by Stefan Zweig

An engrossing, dramatic biography that focuses on the human emotions of the participants and victims of the French Revolution. A very Freudian biography that has influenced many of the works published afterward.

Marie Antoinette: The Last Queen of France by Evelyne Lever

A highly readable translation of Lever's 1991 biography, which does not soften her faults or downplay any poor judgement. Lever has written several French books about the queen, including a collection of her correspondence. Note: The English translation of this book is heavily abridged from the 1991 French Edition, which was 800+ pages, while this translation is 300-400 pages.

To the Scaffold: The Life of Marie Antoinette by Carolly Erickson

A smoothly written biography written by the author of the fictional The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette. Although the book does not add a great deal of new information, it is still a highly readable account.

Marie Antoinette by Joan Haslip

A good introduction for general readers. The book is reliable when it sticks to the queen and her entourage, but there are errors and outdated interpredations when it comes to France or Europe at large. Despite the errors, it is still a lively portrait of the queen herself.

Queen of France: A biography of Marie Antoinette by Andre Castelot

A recent biography that has the readability of a good novel - Castelot is a French scholar and historian who takes us from her arrival to France to the day she was execution.

Marie Antoinette: And The Decline Of French Monarchy (European Queens) by Nancy Lotz

A positive Young Adult biography that may surprise YA readers who associate Marie Antoinette with frivolous, royal excess. The biography is engaging, though doesn't consistently offer supporting evidence, which does a disservice to young readers.

Spilling the Beans on Marie Antoinette by Mick Gowar

A fun, good historical lesson accompanied by comical illustrations for young readers.

Marie Antoinette by Mary Englar

A part of the Snap! Biography series, this biography uses both pictures and first hand quotations to reveal the woman behind the crown.

Other

The Wicked Queen: The Origins of the Myth of Marie Antoinette by Chantal Thomas *

A history of the myth of one of the most infamous queens in French history. In her analysis of the never-ending pamphlets written from the 1770s until her death in 1793 - seven of which are reprinted in full in the book - Thomas exposes the role in which the myth of Marie-Antoinette emerged as a crucial element in the successful staging of the French Revolution.

The Queen’s Necklace: Marie Antoinette and the Scandal That Shocked and Mystified France by Frances Mossiker

This extensive volume about the Affair of the Diamond necklace uses the legal record of the trial, letters, statements, and memoirs from eyewitnesses to expose one of the greatest scandals of 18th century France. Mossiker chooses to allow readers to draw their own conclusions, rather than imparting her own interpretation and judgement on the people involved.

The Private Realm of Marie Antoinette by Marie-France Boyer

This book rediscovers the private places and objects that reflect Marie Antoinette's personality, revealing more than official portraits and great historical events. With beautiful photographs by Francois Halard, the rooms and buildings she lived in are shown with detail. (123 illustrations, 108 in color.)

Walks Through Marie Antoinette’s Paris Diana Reid Haig

A guided tour through a number of Marie Antoinette related French locations - the famous sites, and the less well known locations - with history, anecdotes, and illustrations.

Marie Antoinette Style by Adrien Goetz

A visual introduction to Marie Antoinette - from her bedroom, to her apartments, to her private retreat at Trianon.

Marie Antoinette and the Last Garden of Versailles by Christian Duvernois and Francois Halard

This book focuses on Marie Antoinette's private realm. Her private domain, and its story, are told with accompanying photographs by Francois Halard taken after the recent restoration of Versailles.

Marie Antoinette: Writings on the Body of a Queen by Dena Goodman and Thomas E. Kaiser

A collection of essays revealing how political and cultural contest were enacted "on the body of the queen," and on the identity of Marie Antoinette herself. Exploring both the difficulties of her position as a woman, queen, and foreigner, they help us to understand the accusations of lesbianism, incest, and treason launched against her.

Queen of Fashion: What Marie Antoinette Wore to the Revolution by Caroline Weber *
A history of Marie Antoinette through the lens of her fashion. A well detailed study, this book is both a biography and a study about the consequences of her choice of clothing and appearance, and how it affected her world.