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The Last Great Dance on Earth |
Author: Sandra Gulland
Published: 2000-11-02 |
List price: $15.00
Our price: $10.20
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As of: December 01st, 2008 04:12:14 PM
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Customer comments on this selection.
 Oooh, la, la...
I'm almost 40 and I'm new to the reading world, although I know how to read well and I've always been a keener with good grades in english somehow I managed to go through school without reading a single novel, I just didn't read it and that really brought my grade down. I've never - until recently read novels or much of anything else... When I began to read earlier this year- the feeling was euphoric. It was the discovery of this treasure I was surrounded with and never knew... Now I love, love, love to read. I've collected so many books I'm sure it'll take a few years to get through. I started shallow splashing around with light reads such as Sophie Kinsella, Emily Griffin and soon dove in deep and gravitated toward historical fiction. I enjoyed this trilogy a lot. Although I know Josephine was going to die in the end, it didn't stop me from crying (something I try to avoid if I can)... Any suggestions for other interesting reads, please let me know. I suggest this set, it was wonderfully written... As well I enjoyed Ken Follet's "pillars of the earth" I have't yet started the follow up "a world without end" I also enjoyed Phillipa Gregory's books... Until I read Sandra's books of Josephine I knew little of Napoleon. It has sparked my curiosity and I research online to learn more about Napoleon, Josephine and the others. Enjoy.
the josephine b trilogy by sandra gulland
i found all three books in this trilogy fascinating. it was a painless way to learn about the french revolution, napolean and josephine's lives, and a multitude of other historical facts. the books moved very quickly and from the time i picked up the first one i was hooked!
Superb Finale
I don't need to repeat what eveyone else seems to be stating in their reviews of this book and the entire Josephine trilogy; the story flows from start to finish.
I very highly recommend this book!
Excellent
A perfect ending to a wonderful trilogy. Gulland has clearly done her research and France comes alive through the eyes of Josephine Bonaparte. Compassionate, kind and well-loved in France, Josephine also gives us a very intimate and sympathetic insight to Napoleon Bonaparte. I enjoyed this whole series and would heartily recommend it to anyone interested in the French Revolution, the French Republic and the rise of Napoleon. It is engrossing, humorous and heart-rending. Highly recommended.
Well Done Sandra Gulland--An Outstanding Conclusion!!!
I can't express how much I loved this wonderful novel. The most accurate adjective I can think of would be 'interesting'. This book was soooo interesting. Gulland's attention to detail is absolutely meticulous. She used over 400 sources in the writing of this trilogy. I learned so much--not only about Napoleon and Josephine, but also of other historical figures of that time. I also found the daily life of the aristocracy not only fascinating but also exhausting.
Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine Beauharnais are some of the most intriguing characters in history. Their story is so compelling and Gulland does a wonderful job of presenting it. Her 'Josephine' trilogy tells the story of Marie-Josephe-Rose Tascher (Beauharnais Bonaparte) who was born on the French Caribbean island of Martinique in 1763. She died, as she was still known, as the Empress Josephine at her beloved Malmaison in Paris in 1814. THE LAST GREAT DANCE ON EARTH begins in March 1800 at the Tuileries Palace in Paris and ends at her death. But, Gulland has a special treat for her readers. She ties up all the loose ends by telling us what happens to all the characters in her novel. I loved that! In fact, I was taking a tour a couple of weeks ago in St. Augustine, Florida and the guide told us that this is where Napoleon Bonaparte's brother came to....I now know that it was Jerome. The author also has a chronology with detailed accounts and dates of events in the last fourteen years of Josephine's life. Gulland also used actual letters of the pair in this book. And again, the pages are peppered with footnotes that add credence to this story.
In book three we're treated to more of the deep and abiding friendship of Josephine and Napoleon. The love they had for each other is legendary. Napoleon was a wonderful father to Hortense and Eugene and they also adored him. But Josephine had to put up with her horrid in-laws, their jealousy and constant designs of destroying her marriage, their lies and the constant undermining--geesh, she was more patient than I could have been. They eventually succeeded. Despite going through horrible and archaic treatments for infertility, Josephine could not conceive. As we all know, Napoleon divorced her in order to gain an heir. Even then, they continued their friendship and love.
I have been mesmerized with Napoleon and Josephine since visiting the Lourve for the first time as a college freshman and falling in love with David's "The Coronation of Napoleon." Then, after visiting the famous, albeit headless statue of the former Empress at her birthplace in Martinique, my curiosity became insatiable. We learned that Josephine's head was cut off because she influenced her husband to reinstate slavery. I was hoping to read an explanation in these novels but it was never mentioned (although Martinico is mentioned quite often). Which comes to another point: Gulland mentions that researching the lives of Napoleon and Josephine is addictive; I've already bought two more books, maybe I'll find the answer to my question!
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