Eugenie: The Empress and Her Empire

Rating:
Summary: A very sympathetic account...
Review: ...of a remarkble woman. Desmond Seward definitely succeeds in recounting the life of the spanish born empress and wife to Napoleon III. It was the first biography I read about her and it initiated my passion for french history. Seward balances delicately between her as a private person leading the french court & the political background of 19th century Europe with one of it's climax - the franco-prussian war, which lead to the revolution and Napoeon's abdication.
The only thing I missed slightly was a deeper rendering of her political abilities. She had the reputation of a briliiant politician, being "the only man in Paris". The few times where she was regent, in the absence of her husband, Seward doesn't really delve into her active political doings apart from reflecting her opinion which, by no doubt, had large political impact. On the other hand he implies very successful how difficult it was for a woman and wife of the poilitcal leader in 19th century France to have a politcal role after all. Eugenie was brilliant in pursuing her personal and political goals within her boundaries set by society and court.
Altogether a great book and I recommend it with full belief.

Rating:
Summary: Vive Eugenie!
Review: What a wonderful read this book is! The story of the beautiful spanish aristocrat who rose to become (literally) the most powerful woman in the world, "Eugenie: The Empress and her Empire" is truly fascinating. I enjoyed every single page of it.