The Mad King: The Life and Times of Ludwig II of Bavaria

Rating:
Summary: An interesting portrait of the Swan King and his family
Review: As a big fan of the Bavarian King Ludwig II, I have read several books about the "Swan King", including the remainders of his secret diary. Still, I was quite charmed by this biography by Greg King. I was touched by his description how awkward the relation between Ludwig and his parents was. They felt hopelessly awkward in their children's presence and knew nothing of their interests and could never make more than the most shallow conversation with them.
In Chapter 30, "The King's Friendships", Greg King poses a theory that the Catholic Ludwig struggled with his homosexuality and that he hid himself in his artificial world in a desperate attempt to fight against his longings. Through repeated pledges and vows to remain chaste in his secret diary, he tried to appease his troubled soul.
Chapter 34, "The King's Illness", is about Ludwig's eccentricity, describing Ludwig's brother Otto, their aunts and other eccentric and insane relatives. He concludes the chapter with: "The question of his alleged insanity [..] should be one of degrees of eccentricity rather than complete mental illness."
In the final chapter, "The Crime", Greg King poses his own theory of Ludwig's mysterious death. The hard cover contains some black-and-white pictures and a simple family tree. Of all books I have read about Ludwig, I would recommend this one. It gave me some interesting, new insights into Ludwig's private live. It is well-written and fun to read!

Rating:
Summary: Interesting, but nothing to highten the readers fascination.
Review: I read this book after visiting Neuschwanstein and Linderhof. The tour guide we had went on and on praising Ludwig and his genuis so I came away with a romantic and sympathetic view of the man. After reading King's book, I couldn't help thinking that what Ludwig really needed was a hard swift kick in the rear! Ludwig's ideas about kingship and royalty were insulting to the rest of us common plebians. Perhaps at nineteen, I might have rallied around Ludwig as lost artistic soul but at the ripe old age of 33, I was just disgusted with him. One interesting thing, I did enjoy King's version of Ludwig's final days. His theory makes alot more sense to me than any conspiracy or suicide theory. I plan on visiting Neuschwanstein again in the spring. My eyes will be opened to a whole different reality this time around.

Rating:
Summary: Well documented and very enjoyable to read
Review: I would highly recommend this book -it is well-written, remarkably documented and presents varied and much interesting facts and circumstances about the tragic life of Ludwig II. I truly enjoyed reading it. A must for anyone interested in the King, the Wittelsbach house or Richard Wagner.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting, but nothing to highten the readers fascination.
Review: This biography is interesting, but for a reader who does already know the basics of Ludwig's life, it provides nothing. Upon reading that King spent an entire six years researching Ludwig, I anticipated a highly informing and interesting book. . . I was wrong. One may be inclined to believe that King read a solitary encyclopedia entry and expanded his newly acquired "knowledge" into a 300 + page biography. I recommend this book to someone who has never read anything on Ludwig II before; it will prove to be an informative and interesting book. If, however, you already know something, ANYTHING on Ludwig II's life and times, then by purchasing this particular work it will be a waste of about $17 for a reinforcement of what you ALREADY KNOW!