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Marie-Antoinette

The Making of a French Queen
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( 120 ratings, 22 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Marie-Antoinette by John Hardman offers a detailed and insightful look at the life of the last Queen of France before the Revolution. The book explores her political influence, personal relationships, and the turbulent events leading up to her downfall. Combining thorough research with a captivating narrative, it presents a nuanced portrayal of one of history's most iconic figures.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$3099
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this captivating biography if you're fascinated by French history and royal intrigue. The book provides a nuanced portrayal of Marie-Antoinette, exploring her life beyond the often sensationalised narratives. It offers a detailed account of her personal and political struggles, giving readers a richer understanding of this iconic queen's complexities.

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A new look which fundamentally overturns our understanding of this famously “out of touch” queen

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
A new look which fundamentally overturns our understanding of this famously "out of touch" queen. “Presents Marie-Antoinette as much more than a symbol whose meaning is in the eye of her beholder . . . neither martyr nor voluptuary but rather a serious participant in politics.” — Lynn Hunt, New York Review of Books “Splendid. . . . Masterly. . . . A wonderfully gripping biography.”— Allan Massie, Wall Street Journal Named a Book of the Year (2020) by The Spectator

Who was the real Marie-Antoinette? She was mistrusted and reviled in her own time, and today she is portrayed as a lightweight incapable of understanding the events that engulfed her. In this new account, John Hardman redresses the balance and sheds fresh light on Marie-Antoinette’s story.

Hardman shows how Marie-Antoinette played a significant but misunderstood role in the crisis of the monarchy. Drawing on new sources, he describes how, from the outset, Marie-Antoinette refused to prioritise the aggressive foreign policy of her mother, Maria-Theresa, bravely took over the helm from Louis XVI after the collapse of his morale, and, when revolution broke out, listened to the Third Estate and worked closely with repentant radicals to give the constitutional monarchy a fighting chance. For the first time, Hardman demonstrates exactly what influence Marie-Antoinette had and when and how she exerted it.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Marie-Antoinette by John Hardman is praised for providing a nuanced portrayal of the queen, diving beyond her symbolic image to reveal her as an influential political figure. Reviewers commend Hardman for drawing on extensive research, offering a thought-provoking and balanced portrait of a brave yet sometimes misguided queen. The book sheds new light on Marie Antoinette's political involvement and the historical context of the French monarchy's demise, making it essential reading for understanding the era's complex dynamics.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780300260946

Publisher: Yale University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 24 August 2021

Country: United States

Imprint: Yale University Press

Illustration: 24 color illus.

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 127.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 384

About the Author

John Hardman is one of the world’s leading experts on the French Revolution and the author of several distinguished books on the subject.

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