Rating: 
Summary: A Heart Wrenching Timeless Tale
Review: "The Last Great Dance on Earth" captivated the insecurities and emotions of Josephine Bonaparte. As Sandra Gulland writes the voice of Josephine, she depicts her fears of Napoleon's military conquests as well as her inability to produce an heir to the French throne. This engrossing novel brings an insightful look into the reign of Napoleon Boaparte that could only be experienced through his wife. The Last Great Dance on Earth was captivating, most other historical fiction novels are very dry and slow. This story captured the reader in the beginnng and Josephine's experiences kept the interest level high. From the introduction of historical character to events that shaped this time period, Gulland shows the human side of history. She allows the reader to experience early nineteenth century France though the vivid description of the beautiful castles. "The light streaming in the brightly coloured windows, the enormous tapestries, the painted backdrops, pigeons swooping high above the glittering crowd." The language Gulland used captivated the reader's heart as she concluded the marriage between Napoleon and Josephine. The words she used in their divorce ceremony brought tears to my eyes. Napoleon's declaration began, "She has adorned fifteen years of my life. The memory of those years will be forever inscribed in my heart." These words brought tears to my eyes and Josephine concluded, "Everything I have comes from his kindness. The dissolution of my marriage will make no change in the feelings of my heart." This book will remain one of my favorites. A beautiful end to a beautiful trilogy, Gulland made this period of history a page turning suspense. Although not completely historically accurate, Josephine was known to have slight infidelities of her own, Last Dance captures the heart. This novel is directed towards women, however I think that it would be an enlightening look into the head of a woman for a man. Overall, this is a timeless tale of love, lust, triumph and loyalty.
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Summary: A terrific read with alot of heart!
Review: Although this is a historical fiction triology, it is abosolutely one of my favorties on Josephine. I have read several books about Josephine, and this is the first time that I actually contemplated how much Napoleon's infidelity could have impacted Josephine's daily life and how doting she was over her children and grandchildren. This historical fiction triology portrays Josephine with alot of heart and compassion. This is a must read, even if you haven't read the previous two books. I commend Sandra Gulland on her creation. The only thing left to say is that this triology is a tear-jerker.
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Summary: A Standing Ovation
Review: Bravo, Bravo, Bravo!! Oh, how I hated to come to the end of this series. A caution to would-be readers: Do NOT shortchange yourself and skip either of the first two books (Many Lives/Secret Sorrows, and Tales of Passion) - they all flow together seamlessly and offer an indescribable wealth of passion and intellect. Wonderfully written, deeply researched - this trilogy by Ms. Gulland is truly a treasure.
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Summary: Historical Pageturner? I Thought That Was an Oxymoron
Review: Excellent book! Great series! I read this one in a night.This third and final installment marked the final chapters in the life of Josephine, beginning with Napoleon's reign of power and ending with Josephine's death. Each page is filled with stories of Napoleon's love, their mutual passion, and Josephine's strength in the face of adversity. It was inspiring to discover how much she endured. Despite the difference in time periods, I think many of Josephine's trials (infidelity, anger, sacrifice) are relevant today. This is an inspiring book to read if you're going through a difficult time. I still can't believe how fast a read this is -- how compelling -- how interesting. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't put it down. This is surprising to me, as I've never seemed to gravitate to history books. This book, however, is one amazing exception.
Rating:
Summary: Emotionally gripping, historically compelling!
Review: Gulland achieves an amazing feat not always shared by her fellow historical novelists....she captures your heart, or I should say, her characters do. You may not always sympathize with them, but you walk in their shoes, and when they are in danger, or sad, or joyful, you are too. If all high-schoolers were assigned to read these 3 novels, they would have terrific discussions about literature, history and government....this novel above all drives home the fact of continuous betrayal and treachery when you are at the top. Politics is just so darned messy!! And yet Napoleon and Josephine both come across as extremely human characters who are sometimes humane, sometimes not. Gulland has created classics in the best sense.
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Summary: Amazing...just amazing
Review: How does Sandra Gulland do it? This well-researched, well-written trilogy will score her legions of fans everywhere. The history was presented in an interesting interpretation through the eyes of a historical character often ignored....Thank you, Sandra Gulland, for writing these books!
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Summary: Don't forget the rest of the trilogy
Review: I had to travel across Canada this summer in a car and will treasure it because I brought these three books by Sandra Gulland! I was riveted from the word go and did not stop until the last word in this final book of the trilogy. I was sad to say goodbye to the characters and was longing for another book in the series. Beautifully written, with style and grace. You must pass these books on to all the women you know, they must be shared.
Rating:
Summary: Could NOT put it down!
Review: I had to travel across Canada this summer in a car and will treasure it because I brought these three books by Sandra Gulland! I was riveted from the word go and did not stop until the last word in this final book of the trilogy. I was sad to say goodbye to the characters and was longing for another book in the series. Beautifully written, with style and grace. You must pass these books on to all the women you know, they must be shared.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!!
Review: I have read all three in the set and they are just fabulous. I read this last book in one night, I couldn't put it down. All three books are written as though you are reading Josephine's diary. As you read you feel the time period, you feel for Josephine and wish for a different ending. This is a fantasic and entertaining read, I am sorry it is over!!
Rating:
Summary: A Mesmerizing Trilogy that Never Lets the Reader Down
Review: I love these historical novels. Sandra Gulland has history and imagination and great writing skills going for her. I just finished this book and can say only a few things since I am still more with Josephine than with myself: She's really entered the mind and heart of another woman, another era. I completely lose myself in her words and the loss is all gain. By which I mean: I gain my own imagination back while reading of Josephine. And most of all, this is a writer you can TRUST.
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