King, a Fulbright scholar who taught European history at the U. of Kentucky for many years, has uncovered a wealth of previously uncovered material on the Congress of Vienna . . . King employs a rich and detailed narrative style that will delight history buffs, especially when it comes to documenting the espionage that remained a secret for almost two centuries.
-Book News |
King does a superb job of evoking the bedazzling social scene . . . This is a worthy contribution to the study of a critical historical event long neglected by historians. It should be in every European history collection.
- Library Journal (starred)
|
King paints a lively portrait of the lavish, months-long parade of banquets, love affairs and social competition held at the close of the Napoleonic wars.
- Kirkus |
King has drawn on all manner of sources - the journal of a starstruck French musician, reports from spies in the service of the Austrian emperor, correspondences and diaries of diplomats and leading ladies - to produce a sensuous account of the conference that moves gracefully
between negotiating tables, salons
and ballrooms.
- San Francisco Chronicle
|
In his fascinating account, King details how the various delegates, kings, and commoners partied; made love; spied on each other; and enhanced or ruined their reputations. The dominant figures at the congress were certainly an interesting lot, and King provides fine insight into their personalities and motivations. . . An outstanding addition to European history collections.
- Booklist
|
King, who lives in Lexington , tells the story vibrantly . . . writes history with a novelist's psychological insight and an eye for detail . . . He fleshes out personalities and politics with intelligence and élan. He writes what can only be called 'living' history.
- Louisville Courier-Journal
|
A gripping retelling of a pivotal moment in European history.
- Miami Today
|
All too often Napoleon is given only blame and never credit. It is Mr. King's balanced portrait of both Napoleon and the Congress which is most admirable.
- First Empire, Napoleonic Historical Society
|
This scholarly narrative substantiated by 90 pages of notes is an exemplary in-depth study of the nine-month drama of the Congress of Vienna and its aftermath . . . Napoleon's banishment to Elba, his return to Paris, and the analysis of his defeat at Waterloo were all brilliantly scripted.
- Choice |
Glittering and compelling.
- History Book Club
|
In a months-long circus of intercourse, intrigue, balls, banquets, and nefarious negotiations, lands were played for like pieces on a chess board. . . The extensive lesson in geography, politics, history, and biography would satisfy anyone's desire to learn more about this event.
- Audiofile
|
Deftly paced and engagingly written.
- Publishers Weekly |
