The Road from Versailles: Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, and the Fall of the French Monarchy

Book Description

To revolutionary France and the rest of the world, Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette presented a face of accommodation. They had to; they knew their lives depended upon it. Yet, they also realized that they were living on borrowed time, so they decided to act. Using their mysterious ambassador, Baron de Breteuil as go-between, they secretly tried to arrange an invasion of France by the Allied Powers. Through previously undiscovered docu-ments, historian Munro Price sheds new light on the true motives of the royal family and provides answers to questions that have beguiled historians for centuries.

Customer Reviews:

Insight into the Royals.......2005-12-07

I got this book to learn a little about a topic I didn't know that much about. That I came away feeling that I was well-versed in the most esoteric of historical controversies is a testament to the quality of the work. The author has painstakingly researched the issues involved in the French Revolution. Everywhere in the book where a controversy is discussed, the author makes his conclusion, provides the evidence for his conclusion, and why he doesn't believe in alternative explanations. This comprehensive approach allows the reader to understand history not from the usual "because I say, it is so" approach, but to have a sense of how other theories might co-exist.

The narrative shows how close run a thing the French Revolution was and how many directions it might have taken. It also shows the struggles of two highly flawed individuals (the irresolute King and his stubborn, crafty wife) placed in the most complicated of situations. Most importantly, it focuses on Mssr. Bretieul, a French noble, who steadfastly negotiated on their behalf among foreign capitals for many hopeless years.

The book differs from others in that it shows the Revolution from an almost exclusively Royal point of view. Those looking for an overview of the Revolutionary side will be sorely disappointed. But, those who want to see insight into the minds of the royals, who fumbled and bumbled into an escalation that destroyed the tradition of ages, will revel in the fascinating story.

Concise and excellent.......2005-08-24

This book is a true pleasure to read. It focuses on a relatively small number of personalities and describes what they did- always backed up with research- and the consequences of their actions. The author's style is crisp, focussed and dignified, bereft of obscure or uncommon words that save you the frustration of constantly referring to the dictionary. It makes the principal charcters come to life.

The narrative quality is consistent and sustains your interest throughout. It is neither exhaustive, nor exhausting to read. I recommend it highly.

Incredibly Researched.......2004-07-19

Author Munro Price has shown that intense research combined with informative speculation is consistent with successfully piecing together a very confusing and torrid sequence of events in Western European history. Price, through what appears to be pains taking information gathering, relays a brilliant account of the lives of some of the French Revolution's most influential players. He brings to light, to those not in the academic world, the Baron de Breteuil and his tremendous influence on the policy of counter-revolutionary France. Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, the recipients of the brunt of the Revolution, were shown both in their glory and in the flaws that led to their eventual demise. Price has not failed to impress with his clearly thought out formulations of the mindset and personal weaknesses of Louis XVI and, in contrast, the inner strength of Marie Antoinette. This book is easily followed and is difficult to put down. I recommend to anyone interested in this monumental period of political change in Europe.

Interesting history.......2003-07-25

This was an interesting and very readable book - I was sorry to see it end. It was obviously painstakingly researched and contains a lot of little known information about Louis and Marie-Antoinette and particularly their attitude toward the revolution which eventually killed them. It includes details about Marie-Antoinette's actions and attitudes that the general public may be surprised at - she was not just another pretty face who let events unfold - instead she apparently became stronger and took an active part in events.

Even though the death of the king and queen were inevitable I found myself rooting for their escape. The book almost reads like a novel, but is a true and absorbing story.

Good History.......2003-05-04

The Road from Versailles is more than another retelling of this laboriously studied part of the French Revolution. It is a well-written narration, with excellently crafted literary panache and skill that really translate into a rousing read for any reader. More than that however, author Munro Price offers some very good new sources that lend a lot to his ideas concerning the last days of the Bourbon monarchy. His interpretation avoids the trap of dry repetitive narration/research and instead relies on new sources of information to explain the authors somewhat unique viewpoint.

The Road from Versailles begins in familiar territory. As the reign of Louis XVI continued, France fell further and further into failure, both economic and militarily. France was reeling from numerous failures abroad, most notably the defeat at the hand of the British in North America during the French and Indian War. Economically, the country was an absolute disaster. Even the royal government itself was not sure of the nations finances, and the system was bleeding funds chronically. People wanted someone to blame for their conditions, and they found a good candidate in the Austrian princess Marie Antoinette. Her heritage and her penchant for finery quickly gained her the ire of the French public. As disasters mounted, the monarchy came under attack from all sides. It was clear that, politically, Louis XVI would have to alter his role. How to do this was the big question. Rapidly, the question became moot as the street violence exploded.

Munro concentrates on the minor, or supposedly minor, character of Breteuil, a royal minister. Using new documents, Munro suggests that Breteuil was much more involved than previously though, especially concerning the various royal plots to aid the royals in their escape from Paris. One of the best parts of the book is its emphasis on what was happening outside of France, as numerous plots were being hatched to either evacuate the royal government or to reestablish its power by military force. The decisions and actions made and taken by the royal family are also examined. Munro tries to explain Louis XVI inaction and floundering a little too much, I thought. I believe the simple answer is that Louis was a very foolish person, who had little political comprehension besides the absolutionist system he was born into. Marie is shown as quite active, but not as devious as proposed in the some other works. Munro does a great job of explaining his conclusions to the reader in a way that is accessible to both popular and academic readers. A very good work of history.

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The Road from Versailles: Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, and the Fall of the French Monarchy.(When the King Took Flight)(Book Review) : An article from: Canadian Journal of History
Jonathan R. Dull
Manufacturer: University of Saskatchewan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | France | Europe | History | Subjects | Books
General | Canada | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0009GKS0W
Release Date: 2005-08-01

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Canadian Journal of History, published by University of Saskatchewan on April 1, 2004. The length of the article is 961 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: The Road from Versailles: Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, and the Fall of the French Monarchy.(When the King Took Flight)(Book Review)
Author: Jonathan R. Dull
Publication: Canadian Journal of History (Refereed)
Date: April 1, 2004
Publisher: University of Saskatchewan
Volume: 39 Issue: 1 Page: 129(2)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

The Road from Versailles : Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, and the Fall of the French Monarchy

Average customer rating:

The Road from Versailles : Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, and the Fall of the French Monarchy
Munro Price
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OTI9KU

Book Description

"The bottom line is, if you could be good, Billy showed you how to be good." -- Matt Keough, former pro pitcher

Legendary baseball manager Billy Martin was well-known for his abrasive spirit and after-hours barroom brawls. But it was on the field that Martin's genius for leadership took shape. His record for taking over undistinguished teams and instilling in them the aggressiveness and confidence needed to win championships will never be equaled. When he left the game, Martin left behind a proven model for success--one that can be applied to today's winner-take-all corporate battleground.

Dugout Days is the first thorough examination of the leadership strategies of Billy Martin. Setting aside the controversies that Martin's take-no-prisoners attitude often ignited, this book concentrates on the man--how he won and why the lessons from his championship legacy transcend the game of baseball.

High-energy stories and original interviews with the men who played for and with Martin--and learned from him--provide insights that resonate in today's competitive business arena, including:

* The importance of mentors in grooming passionate and effective leaders
* The necessity of building bonds, earning respect, and showing loyalty
* Techniques for melding a group of disparate individuals into a cohesive unit and for pushing them to new heights of achievement
* How adopting a high-energy, fast-acting, values-driven approach can vanquish the competition
* The importance of loving what you do in the equation for lasting success.

Customer Reviews:

great baseball book.......2001-08-08

I found this to be an extrememly interesting baseball book, with numerous valuable insights regarding management as well. (By the way, Dugout Days perhaps should get a 5-star rating based on what I typically see in review, but I tend not to give 5 stars except for truly extraordinary books. This is, however, a very good book, well worth the money and time.)

Dugout Days presents a great perspective on the legendary manager/player. DeMarco has interviewed scores of former players and teammates, lending the book a firsthand quality often missing from biographies, especially those in the sports field. Furthermore, the subject inherently adds some value to the equation, as Martin was an intriguing figure within one of sports' legendary franchises.

From a business perspective, I consider Dugout Days better than most. (I generally am skeptical of the "business" book genre.) Whereas most other offerings pass off common sense observations as platitudes on how to succeed, etc., Dugout Days demonstrates a few key points with actual situations, how they were handled and what the results were. There is no sense of "stretching" to prove a point, thereby avoiding the bloat to which business writers succumb.

I highly recommend the book for any baseball fan.

Portrait of a Relentless Competitor.......2001-06-14

According to the subtitle, DeMarco provides "untold tales & leadership lessons from the extraordinary career of Billy Martin" and indeed he does. I am among those who saw Martin play for the New York Yankees and I later followed his career as a Major League manager of several different teams, including one in Texas where I now live. He always fascinated me. DeMarco draws certain appropriate comparisons between Martin and George S. Patton. Indeed, many of the same qualities which explain Martin's success in the dugout and Patton's success on the battlefield help to explain why both had so many problems elsewhere.

Consider first Martin's and then Matt Keogh's explanation of "Billyball": "Just give me a little room, I'm going to take advantage of it. What the hell. When you're a leader, you have to lead. That's when you stick your neck out. Leaders ar not followers. They are innovators. They are gamblers. They're not afraid to take a chance, not afraid to fail....Billyball is nothing more than just aggressive, old-fashioned baseball where you're not afraid to make a mistake...forcing the opposition to make mental and physical mistakes. Going against the grain. Going after them all the time...Force the other team to execute perfectly...Always looking for an opportunity out there to create something. But get it quick. Right now. Not two innings from now." Now consider what what one of his former players, Matt Keough, has to say: "A definition of Billyball would be: What we did equaled making them worry. Talk about spitters and all that. stuff -- the whole thing was to create anxiety. And when you create anxiety, you beat 'em. That's all it was. He generated a tremendous amount of anxiety, because no one wanted to look stupid."

Especially the younger members of teams which played "Billyball" under Martin's leadership usually performed above their talent levels. They developed a swagger, a brawler's mentality, and a hatred of losing. Meanwhile, the values and principles which drove Martin the player and manager suggest why he was fired eight times and divorced three times as well as why he initiated so many heated arguments which often resulted in a fight with an individual or a brawl involving both teams. According to DeMarco, Martin "was a great leader, but like General George Patton and General Douglas MacArthur, he was not a great employee." Indeed, Martin eventually (and inevitably) shredded every welcome mat which greeted him when he first assumed the manager's position with a series of teams which include the Minnesota Twins, the Detroit Tigers, the Texas Rangers, the New York Rangers, the Oakland Athletics, and finally once again the New York Yankees whose owner George Steinbrenner hired and fired him five different times. Martin seems to have been most effective when entrusted with relatively inexperienced and less-talented players, players more inclined to be deferential to him, although a few of his World Champion Yankee teams are among the best during the last 30 years.

As indicated previously, the bulk of the material in this book is provided by 33 people who either played with or for Martin or were in some other way closely associated with him. All duly acknowledge Martin's flaws -- and some speak frankly about having been personally abused by Martin -- while suggesting (to a degree of agreement which surprised me) that Martin was also an uncommonly sensitive, thoughtful, loyal, generous, and (believe it or not) spiritual, if not precisely religious person. They knew him well, both in and out of the dugout; I knew of him only from a great distance and was almost wholly dependent upon how he was portrayed by the media.

Near the end of his book, DeMarco includes some insightful comments by Paul Stoltz, author of The Adversity Quotient: "So many entrepreneurs and leaders have some of Billy's profile -- a nontraditional path, childhood adversity, being made fun of or ridiculed, and an uncompromising track record of relentlessness. This is the high AQ [Adversity Quotient) Climber profile. These people can really irritate....Thank God! Without them, this world would be far less interesting and rich. It is It is the Climbers who shape whatever game they are in. Once the wounds are healed and the hurt feelings mend, we remember the Climbers most fondly and admiringly for the impact they have had and legacy they left." The 33 provide "untold tales" and DeMarco suggests several "leadership lessons." Read the book and then take your own measure of Alfred Manuel Martin.

I'm Being Generous with Three Stars.......2001-05-14

I guess the main reason this book was written was to provide a more balanced account of Billy Martin. He certainly had a number of people who didn't care for him and a number of derogatory stories have been told about him. This book relates experiences about people such as Willie Horton, Paul Blair, Rod Carew, Mike Heath, and others who had positive experiences regarding Billy Martin. Any manager has individuals who can tell both positive or negative stories about them so Martin would not be unique in this respect. I find Billy Martin to be an interesting individual to read about in baseball, but I found the book to have pretty much the same people commenting on him throughout. It is not a story of his life, but one that is told by those having positive experiences with him. I buy baseball books to save for my baseball library, but if I had the chance to do it again, this book would have remained in the bookstore. I found it to be repetitious and boring at times.

Don't judge a book (or man) by it's cover!.......2001-05-13

DeMarco goes against coventional wisdom and appeals to the less visable side of the reading audience....the virtuous side! It's so easy to capture us with the picture of a man which the dotors of spin have firmly established....whether true or half true (which is another way to say false!) But Demarco elects not to take the easy way out. He goes to those who knew Billy personally and I'm not talking about a handful of cronnies but, rather, fourty plus former players and fellow managers. What we get for the more than hundred hours of interviews and research is the truth about Billy Martin....The GOOD, the BAD, and the UGLY. However with the previous writters appealing to our ever hungry, "give me the dirt side", DeMarco focouses more on the former....the good. Much to my surprise and my "already spun" perception of this man, I found there was a great leader and,even more surprising, a soft side to this tough guy....a tremendous giver to the underdogs of life and an amazing spiritual side that was very real! I highly recomend this book for personal consumption you will be pleasantly surprised once you get past Billy's "cover". Well done DeMarco!

High-Octane Leadership.......2001-05-07

This is a fascinating look at Billy Martin that works on two levels. First, it shows how Martin rose to the tops of the baseball managing ranks through his passionate love of the game. From his apprenticeship at the side of Casey Stengel through his later wanderings with second-rate teams, Martin was learning the game inside out so that when the opportunity came to manage, he was ready. Second, the book shows how Martin unleashed his knowledge as a manager. Through conversations with many of Martin's players, the author shows how Martin worked one on one with his players to inspire their best, and then fit those players together at the team level to orchestrate some amazing seasons. Players from the "Billyball" teams in Oakland (like Mike Heath and Mike Norris) and the "Turnaround Gang" in Texas (like Toby Harrah and Lenny Randle) offer fasicnating pictures of a man full of confidence, bravado, and knowledge, willing to do ANYTHING to win a ballgame. He created opportunities for success and pumped up his overachieving players to attack those opportunities. Billy's raw, energetic confidence emerges very clearly. Martin was certainly a fascinating character and leader, and that's readily clear in "Dugout Days".

Book Description

From the myths of old Hollywood to recent on-screen accidents, the motion picture industry has long been associated with violent and untimely death. Hollywood has always been a magnet for suicides, murders, mysterious accidents and brutal mayhem; the simple fact is that, in the age of motion pictures, human death ahs become an inescapable part of show business. Hollywood Hex is a study of films that have, in one way or another, resulted in death and destruction. Some are directly responsible for the accidental deaths of those involved in their creation; others have caused tragedy indirectly by inspiring occult movements, serial killers, copycat crimes, psychotic behaviour in audiences, or bizarre and freakish coincidences. These "cursed" films include "The Exorcist", "Rosemary's Baby", "Twilight Zone - The Movie" and "The Crow"; films that have become notorious and compelling in their new role as inadvertent epitaphs, as documents on the subject of human mortality.

Subjects covered range from the earliest Hollywood suicides and jinxed movies, to the death cult of James Dean, to links with Charles Manson, Satanic churches, snuff culture and mass murders, plus the mysterious death of Bruce Lee and the equally strange demise of his son Brandon. In the tradition of Kenneth Anger's Hollywood Babylon, Hollywood Hex discloses and examines the dark, enigmatic connections between cinematic narratives and human catastrophe, forming a psychogeographic study of the Dream Factory which will fascinate the reader with its far-reaching implications.

Customer Reviews:

Fascinating in depth exploration of death in the film biz.......2002-10-19

Hollywood Hex is fascinating reading and gives especially indepth analyses of events surrounding The Exorcist, Rosemary's Baby, and Twilight Zone" The Movie. The Exorcist chapters describe in detail all the strange deaths and other incidents which occurred during and after filming. Not to mention the unprecedented audience reaction which is now legend (fainting, vomiting, insanity, etc.) The only conclusion is that something is happening beyond coincidence, the question is is it a "curse" or is it the power of suggestion. This section also gives very insightful analysis into the film's theme and it's relation to the audience and human frailty. What's really troubling is the fact that in the end it's only a movie, but that fact is lost on so many in the audience, and unfortunately some in the cast and crew. Also of interest is the across the board condemnation of the film from Christians (you would think they would consider the film pro-Christian propaganda, but NOOOOO.)
Rosemary's Baby also has it's own "hex". Obviously the relation to the Manson murders, but also some deaths of cast and crew, and of course John Lennon at the Dakota entrance (where the film was set).
But the most disturbing chapter is Twilight Zone: The Movie which gives details of the negligence that killed Vic Morrow and 2 child actors. And all for a poor rip-off of a TV series.
When you read this book, you'll know show biz is dangerous biz. Onset accidents, wacko members of the public who threaten actors (whether or not they play the bad guy roles), drug ODs, crime victims, suicide. Finally any movie that seems more than just a movie should be attributed to the talent of the cast and crew...any other conclusion is irrational.

A book that grabs you from page one and never lets go!.......1999-08-02

Mikita Brottman has done it again! Following her charming andexquisitely detailed "Meat is Murder!", Brottman offers"Hollywood Hex", a book brimming with so much information your head will explode if you read too quickly. Intelligent, delightful, and quite simply, unsurpassable. Whether you like movies or just like to read, this book is recommended to everyone!

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Great Practice Aid

Essential Elements Play Along Trax Book 2 Disc 1

Manufacturer: Hal Leonard Corp
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0634008978

Book Description

Book 2, pages 1-16.

Customer Reviews:

Great Practice Aid.......2003-11-09

This play-along track CD makes practice more useful because yound instrumentalists can actually play along with a 'band', which is an opportunity that most don't get when they are just starting out.

About Book 2...
The "Essential Elements : A Comprehensive Band Method - Book 2" is a great book for a young person who is learning an instrument for the first time. There is a fingering chart in the back of the book to make looking up fingerings quick and easy. The book starts off very basic with the parts of the instrument. The easiest notes to play and finger are presented first with exercises to practice them.

Hal Leonard also offered other books that correlate (they even tell you what pages they go along with) with some of the skills in this book. They are:
Essential Elements Movie Favorites
Essential Elements Broadway Favorites
Essential Elements Patriotic Favorites

Practice makes PERMANENT, not PERFECT.

Book Description

Imaginative, simple-to-construct educational toy, measuring about 22¼" wide, 8¼" high and 6" deep, includes backdrop of tribal encampment, with full-color pieces representing hunters, warriors, teepees with painted designs, women preparing meals and stretching animal hides, and more. No scissors needed. Assembly instructions provided. 6 full-color plates of 27 pieces.

Book Description

This self-help book introduces a number of scenarios that incorporate the behaviors supported by the ISLLC Standards. Its effective case scenario approach prepares prospective school leaders to address actual school challenges that occur on a daily basis. In addition, it familiarizes readers with the ISSLC Standards and enables them to conduct a self-assessment relative to meeting those standards. Unlike similar texts, the author provides responses to difficult and challenging issues that are grounded in theory and supported by best practice. This enables learners to examine, compare, and make decisions about well-documented responses and in turn, apply their own ideas. Chapter topics include Leadership in Today's Schools, Organizational Influences on Leadership, Communication in Today's Schools, Decision-Making: Quality and Acceptance, Managing Conflict in Today's Schools, and Facilitating Change in Schools. For education professionals preparing for leadership roles.

Customer Reviews:

Solid Preparation.......2007-07-23

This book does a nice job of clearly illustrating the ISLLC standards, and was the only preparation resource I used (other than the ETS prep kit) before passing my SLLA test for the CA administrative credential. It is well written, and thoughtfully organized. Especially helpful were the wide variety of senarios. As an educator with primarily high school experience, it was very useful to read examples from K-8. After reading the book, and spending time reflecting on the problems described, I felt much better informed about implementing the ISLLC standards. Without hesitation I would recommend it for those preparing to take the administrative test.

Practicing the Art of Leadership.......2005-09-07

I love this book. It shows me how to apply the standards for leadership in a practical way. It helps me to put the theory that I'm reading into practice. I also like it because it isn't difficult or dry reading. I'm usually very interested in the material.

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