The Empress of Farewells: The Story of Charlotte, Empress of Mexico

The Empress of Farewells: The Story of Charlotte, Empress of Mexico
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Say farewell

A DISAPPOINTMENT

Behind the Scenes Detailing, without trudging through muck

Incomplete

There Are Better Books on the Subject.

The Empress of Farewells: The Story of Charlotte, Empress of Mexico
Prince of Greece Michael , and Prince Michael of Greece
Manufacturer: Atlantic Monthly Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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The Court of the Last Tsar: Pomp, Power and Pageantry in the Reign of Nicholas II

ASIN: 0871138360

Customer Reviews:

Say farewell .......2006-09-25

This book should have been more informative....and it really wasn't. Charlotte was a daughter of the King of Belgium, 1st cousin to Queen Victoria, sister-in-law to the powerful Emperor Franz Joseph, and yet the book was just an empty shell at points. There was no genelogical table for reference, and no pictures except on the cover to even think about how truely beautiful Charlotte was until she went insane. There is evidence that says it might have been easier for her to do so to escape her brother, but she was certainly (and who could blame her) never able to handle the loss of Maximilian the way she did.

Check this out @ the library, buy it if you really think you need to add it to your collection, but this was not the steller book it should have been. Heres to hoping someone else will do it better next time!!

A DISAPPOINTMENT.......2006-03-23

Like many of the other reviewers here, I bought this book because I knew something of the history, and wanted to learn more. (Having lived in Mexico from first grade through high school, I had often visited the Castle in Chapultepec, and had studied Mexican history in grade school.) My first disappointment with the book was to see that it was intellectually lazy, with no index, no sources identified. One of the Amazon reviewers generously awarded the book three stars, "because it was an easy read." It was an easy read, but not a particularly pleasant one. Another Amazon reviewer mentioned apparent anomalies in speech -- I wondered as I read the book how much of the responsibility for the slangy and/or pedestrian language lay with the translator. Finally, are there no editors or proof readers at publishers any longer? Not everyone would catch the fact that Michoacán, referred to in the book as being east of Mexico City, is actually west of Mexico City, but anyone who was awake while proofreading should have been brought up short by the statement that "Porfirio Díaz seized power in 1876 and held it until his death in 1872." Porfirio Díaz did seize power in 1876, he held it until 1910, and he died in 1915. So not only did he not seize power after his death, his death was not the cause of his relinquishing power. Whenever I read a book where I catch such errors, I wonder how much I can trust the areas I don't know as much about -- such as European geography, history, etc.

Behind the Scenes Detailing, without trudging through muck.......2004-12-04

Delightful and anctedotal. If you're already familiar with the subjects, then you'll enjoy the author's presentation of some heretofore undisclosed "facts" as well as insightful speculations to explain the ill-fated royal couple who claimed Mexican territories as their God-given right. Having read letters of accounts from the ladies of the court and compared them to libraried American minutes of the Congressional attention on the "Mexican Problem" during the Civil War era, the author's focus on the human sides of the royal couple and the cause that brought them together is icing on the cake. Since the revolutionaries of Mexico habitually killed the captive officers and freed the women to wander and make it on their own, once can only imagine what drove the Empress - at one time called the Dove by the Mexicans - to the brink of madness. Read by a warm fireplace...

Incomplete.......2003-05-13

Although this work is interesting in that it attempts to flesh out the details of the lives of the Emperor and Empress of Mexico, it's lack of bibliography and any kind of footnotes or end notes makes it very incomplete. Additionally, I was very disappointed to see that the author (perhaps because of his royal connections) failed to even mention the rather horrible manner in which the incapacitated Empress Charlotte's personal fortune was completely looted by her brother King Leopold II to fund his personal posession of the Congo (later taken over by the Belgian State and turned into a Belgian colony).

There Are Better Books on the Subject........2003-01-11

This is a subject I am interested in. The only reason I gave it two stars was the easy reading. There was a definite bias in favor of Max and Charlotte. Benito Juarez, a decent man at heart was villifed and referred to as "that Indian." Max was also a decent man who meant well. That was the sad part of this story that was left unsaid. If you are looking for a cut and dried "black hats and white hats," you will not get it, except for some of the slime who clung to the Royal couple and convinced him to take Mexico's crown. A crown that in reality, was as thorny as the cactus, eagle and snake of the Mexican flag.
Read Joan Haslip's The Crown of Mexico instead.

The Empress of Farewells: The Story of Charlotte, Empress of Mexico

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The Empress of Farewells: The Story of Charlotte, Empress of Mexico
Prince of Greece Michael; Prince Michael of Greece; Translator-Vincent Aurora
Manufacturer: Atlantic Monthly Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000QYFHRG

Customer Reviews:

Interesting Read.......2007-09-26

I liked the book but wish author would of said more about subject and less about social period, over all very interesting.

Wonderful!.......2005-10-25

What a great piece of storytelling. John L. Sullivan is a true giant of American history, and Mr. Isenberg brings him to life in this fulfilling, enlightening read. I opened the book and didn't put it down until 5 hours later, when I finished reading the last word. Mr. Isenberg, well done and thank you for this wonderful book!

Dr. Raymond Hill
Durham, NC

A Great Biography.......2000-04-29

A nicely written biography of a great champion. Isenberg begins with a scholarly discussion of the Irish-American background in which Sullivan was born and extends to the bare knuckle society were he reigned supreme for twelve years. The thorough coverage of Sullivan's career is full of interesting anecdotes of many of the great fighters of the era and you gain real insight into the America of Sullivan's time. But, most importantly, in the end you become genuinely familiar with the man-John L.-himself.

Sullivan Book Review.......2000-01-27

An interesting account of the champion from Boston. Exhaustive research makes for an excellent read. I enjoyed it.

Isenberg's book on Sullivan is outstanding!.......1999-07-01

As a boxing writer and historian, I have read hundreds of books on the sport and even authored one. Isenberg's book on the Great John L. is among the best boxing books ever, a very well researched work that dwells into the smallest details of Sullivan both as a fighter and a sociological phenom of his time, the first blue collar sports hero in America.. To end with a cliche: This book is a must read book for fistic fans --Enrique Encinosa

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John L. Sullivan and His America
Michael T. Isenberg
Manufacturer: University of Illinois Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OQ7PS0

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John L. Sullivan and His America
Michael T Isenberg
Manufacturer: University of Illinois Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OPU6AA

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John L. Sullivan and His America.
MICHAEL T. ISENBERG
Manufacturer: See notes
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000RQDZL8

Book Description

As a child, Diane Johnson was entranced by The Three Musketeers, dashing 17th-century residents of the famous romantic quartier called St.-Germain-des-Prés. Now, the paperback edition of her delightful book will take even more Americans to the richly historic part of the city that has always attracted us, from Ben Franklin in the 18th-century to raffish novelist Henry Miller in the 20th.

Modern St.-Germain is lively and prosperous, and fifty years ago its heady mix of jazz and existentialism defined urbane cool, but Johnson takes a longer view. "Beside the shades of Jean-Paul Sartre and Edith Piaf," she writes, "there is another crowd of resident ghosts... misty figures in plumed hats whose fortunes and passions were enacted among these beautiful, imposing buildings." From her kitchen window, she looks out on a chapel begun by Reine Margot, wife of Henri IV; nearby streets are haunted by the shades of two sinister cardinals, Mazarin and Richelieu, as well as four famed queens and at least five kings. Delacroix, Corot, Ingres, David, and Manet all lived in St.-Germain; Oscar Wilde died there; and everybody who was anybody visited sooner or later.

With her delicious imagination and wry, opinionated voice, Diane Johnson makes a companionable and fascinating guide to a classic neighborhood as cosmopolitan as it is quintessentially French.

La Reine Margot (Oxford World's Classics)

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swashbuckling and intrigue
fun, great novel on court intrigue
A historical French soap-opera
Pretty good :)
Tres, tres bien!

La Reine Margot (Oxford World's Classics)
Alexandre Dumas
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

French | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Classics | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

The Black Tulip (Oxford World's Classics)
Louise de la Vallière (Oxford World's Classics)
Twenty Years After (Oxford World's Classics)
The Vicomte de Bragelonne (Oxford World's Classics)
The Man in the Iron Mask (Oxford World's Classics)

ASIN: 019283844X

Book Description

`Dear sister!' said Charles IX, `there is blood on your sleeve!' `And what consequence is that, Sire,' said Marguerite, `if I have a smile upon my lips?' Saint Bartholomew's Day 1572. Paris is awash with the blood of Huguenots slaughtered by order of Charles IX. Or perhaps of Catherine de Medicis, one of history's great monsters? Or the ambitious Duke de Guise? Or the Duke d'Anjou, soon to be the reluctant King of Poland? The answer will be found in the secret passageways of the Louvre and the torture chamber of the fortress of Vincennes. It takes an iron nerve and a cool head to survive. Young Henry of Navarre has both in abundance, but he has more: he has his Queen, the beautiful, cultured Margot. Staking all on love and losing, she remains defiant in defeat. La Reine Margot (1845) is a novel of suspense and drama which recreates the violent world of intrigue, murder and duplicity of the French Renaissance. Dumas fills his canvas with a gallery of unforgettable characters, unremitting action and the engaging generosity of spirit which has made him one of the world's greatest and best-loved story-tellers. This revised edition of the classic translation of 1846 is richly annotated. An introduction sets Dumas and his work in their literary, historical and cultural context.

Download Description

Le lundi, dix-huitième jour du mois d'août 1572, il y avait grande fête au Louvre...

Customer Reviews:

swashbuckling and intrigue.......2003-11-01

This is Dumas at his almost-finest, very vivid and exciting, great characters and plot, even Nostradamus! As fine as Sir Walter Scott's Kenilworth. The reason that the title is given in French is because it would translate as Queen Madge, which doesn't sound so good.

fun, great novel on court intrigue.......2001-09-05

This is a lesser known Dumas novel than, say, the Count of Monte Christo. But it is just as good as the others he did: vivid personalities, attention to detail, and fabulously intricate plots. It tells the story of Margot and her marriage to the King of Navarre, an ambitious Hugenot in constant danger of assassination. With the backdrop of the religious wars, she finds love in a knight that she attempts to cloister from the dangers of court intrigue. It ends in tragedy, hope, and the promise of further adventure.

Based on available historical sources at the time and embellished with Dumas' unique sense of drama, it is a spectacular read, full of danger, sudden developments, and psychological depth. While it may not be as deep as Stendhal's best works, it is absolutely first rate as a historical novel, a genre that Dumas helped to develop. It stimulates the reader's desire to plung more deeply into French history as well.

High recommendation.

A historical French soap-opera.......2001-08-13

This is a Historical novel that takes place in France, in the XVIth century. There's a very very bad black widow -as a matter of fact, black mother as well this is Catherine of Médicis-, a beautiful and amorous young queen married to somebody she does not love but with whom she forms an alliance just in order not to be a widow herself and go to a convent, a romantic heroe, his true friend -who sometimes loves him a little bit too much and a bunch of intriguers. Alexandre Dumas, in his newspaper serial style - this novel was first published that way-, interweave different stories aboiding boring descriptions and getting to the point: quick dialogue, short chapters, attractive characters, and everything to catch you from the first page, which he achieves. It really is a page turner, with several love stories that never goes with marriage and several marriages that never goes with love but with alliances. I have read that some United States reviewers are a bit confused because of the historical part and that's a problem unless you know European History or have a book with comments and notes. If you end the book and want to know what happened afterwards, read British Enciclopedia or something like that, because all characters are historical, even the Romantic hero La Mole and his friend. To those that have seen the 1990s French movie, you have the advantage of imagining the whole story with the beautiful faces of Isabelle Adjani and Vincent Perez, and the great soundtrack and spectacular staging from his director, which reminds of an opera. To those who doesn't I'd say go to your videoclub and try to find it!! It's not a substitute but a perfect complement.

Pretty good :).......2001-08-06

La Reine Margot was, in my opinion, a pretty good story. There is lots of deception on the part of the Queen de Medicis, one of the more fascinating characters in the story. The book gives a glimpse of France during the Huguenot/Catholic struggle for power. The beginning is slow, but the story is good. I found it difficult (not being familiar with the history) to learn the characters' names. The first chapter is particularly trying, but I pressed on and the book seemed to ease up a LOT and give way to a story of plotted murders, backstabbing, a little superstition/witchcraft, and many close calls. La Reine Margot wasn't nearly as good as The Count of Monte Cristo (if you have not read this, it is definitely a page turner!), but it was a good story that gives a little insight into history while livening it up with Dumas's sword-fighting, heroic style. Notice that I tend to be a little harsh by granting it three stars, but this is only because The Count of Monte Cristo was truly his best work and must be set apart from his others.

Tres, tres bien!.......2001-08-04

I adore this book; but then, I adore most of the work of Alexandre Dumas. This is a fabulous work of historical fiction; Dumas' roots as an actual historian are displayed here. The history is not quite accurate-- romance and drama were obviously the author's priorities this time-- but is close enough to help high school students nail European history exams. Trust me on this one.

The characters are vibrant (especially Margot, which is something of a surprise because Dumas' female characters are not as often sympathetic as are his male characters); the plot is intricate; and the adventure and emotion run high. Margot is daughter, sister, and wife to kings of France, so you know that a great deal of intrigue will be present as well.

Customer Reviews:

Pure Heaven !!!.......2001-08-16

I wish Dumas had written a cent-rilogy or something, because three just is not enough. You get history, romance, humor, and intellectual satisfaction. What more can you want? Start with La Reine Margot - start with a bang, the St. Barthélemy massacre, that leads into a love story, that becomes entangled in the Royal Court's intrigues. La Dame de Montsoreau introduces many fascinating characters - noble gentlemen and ladies, all beautiful and rich and young, ambitious, sentimental, loyal, treacherous... and finish off with Les Quarante-Cinq, which follows the path of the two other novels, with more fascinating plots. If you like historical fiction, or historical romance, or just plain history, you will wish there were more where this came from! (as in more in the Valois series)

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La Reine Margot: Deuxième partie
Alexandre Dumas
Manufacturer: Adamant Media Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Action & Adventure | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

French | Foreign Language Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

All French Books | French | Foreign Language Books | Specialty Stores | Books
ASIN: 054385700X
Release Date: 2000-11-21

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La Reine Margot: Première partie
Alexandre Dumas
Manufacturer: Adamant Media Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Action & Adventure | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

French | Foreign Language Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

All French Books | French | Foreign Language Books | Specialty Stores | Books
ASIN: 0543857042
Release Date: 2000-11-21

Book Description

The collected wisdom of Silicon Valley's leading IT experts that concisely addresses the most pressing issues facing IT professionals today.

Focuses on the business drivers that impact the IT function!
Explains the top ten measurements that are critical to IT success!
Shows how to set priorities when infrastructure costs are rising and resources are limited!

This is the practical survival guide for every CIO and IT manager who is fighting the battle to do more with less. Covers everything from budgeting and measuring, to planning, sourcing, and architecture. Each chapter is introduced with a real-life story that shows how the common themes that have emerged from each author's unique experiences are related. The critical skills that every IT manager needs to master are covered in detail with real-life insights and practical examples. Whether your IT organization is wrestling with outsourcing maintenance issues, or critical infrastructure problems, the solutions you need can be found in this book.

Customer Reviews:

CIO Reference Manual.......2004-08-26

As a CIO I though CIO Wisdom hits the nail on the head on many of the challenges and issues facing today's CIO's. Sound and practical advice from those actually performing in the job was quite refreshing to the theoretical approach found in many other books on this topic. I only wish that many of my customers (business line leaders and executives) would read this book to better understand the value of IT can bring to our organization.

My only critique is that some of the concepts discussed in the book where not fully flushed out when the author was talking about solutions. Of course there have been entire books written on some of the topics covered in CIO wisdom.

I was particularly impressed by the Communications, Governance, Marketing and the Business Intelligence chapters.

Superb compilation of knowledge & experience.......2004-06-21

The seventeen articles in this compendium represents contemporary and topical subjects, each written by a seasoned CIO. I was as impressed with the selection of articles as I was with the content because each topic is foremost on the minds of CIOs and senior IT managers today.

Among the articles I especially like are:

- The First 90 Days, by Mark Egan, which contains actionable plans that will get the new CIO (or other senior IT executive) quickly moving in the right direction.

- IT Organization, by Guy de Meester, in particular the challenges of centralization vs. decentraliztion, and organizational models in general. If this area is your focus I highly recommend additional reading: "Decentralization: Fantasies, Failings, and Fundamentals" (ISBN 0964163535) and "RoadMap: How to understand, diagnose, and fix your organization" (ISBN 0964163527), both of which go into great detail and provide an exceptionally effective approach.

- Governance, by Danny Maco, which is conspicuously missing in organizations large and small - or is often done incorrectly if done at all.

- Budgeting, by Bob Denis, Maureen Vavra, John Dick ... you'd think IT has this basic function under control, but sadly not. Read this article for excellent advice.

- The Metrics of IT: Management by Measurement, by Shel Waggener and Steve Zoppi. One of my favorite topics, and this team provides outstanding advice and keen insights.

Other articles are as well written, and span topics from architecture to strategic planning. Taken as a whole, this is a sourcebook that is filled with both knowledge and experience, and should be on the desk of every CIO, seasoned and new. I also recommend visiting the site that supports this book (paste the ASIN number, B0001EHNFK, into the search box for all products on this page). The site contains additional articles, news and other books in this series that CIOs, IT managers at all levels, and subject matter experts will find useful.

CIO Wisdom, Indeed !!.......2004-03-06

Truly, this is 'CIO Wisdom' - set down by CIOs and IT managers who deal day-to-day with information technology in perhaps the most challenging environment - Silicon Valley itself. As a 42-year veteran of the IT industry, I think this is the first time I've seen so much down-to-earth, practical and useful IT guidance in one place. The chapters are clearly and well-written. The authors get right down to the meat of the subject and provide practical suggestions for improving IT delivery.

If the book has a weakness, it is that there is so much specific information here that it will likely take multiple readings to glean all of it.

I think this book should be required reading for all CIOs ... and if you really want to start something, get a copy for everyone on your IT staff!

Putting Offerings into Right Perspective.......2004-03-03

Although this book is primarily targeted to IT-leaders or those who intend to become one I'm sure this book is also highly valuable for all CEOs and Marketing and Sales VPs of startup companies who are tarketing established corporations. This book will give them guidance to put their offerings into right perspective by giving insights about CIO's success strategies and challenges. And the structure of the book makes it easy and enjoyable reading for busy executives - from the first foreword to the last chapter.

CIO Wisdom review.......2004-02-26

As with many books that collect articles or papers, the organization is topical not a continuous sequence, although there seems to be some consideration given to precedence of topics.
I especially found value in the chapters on Communication, Governance, Architecture, the Value of IT, Metrics and the Cates article regarding Line of Business orientation.
There are some inconsistencies between articles, and minor editing errors.

CIO Wisdom: Best Practices from Silicon Valley

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CIO Wisdom: Best Practices from Silicon Valley
Dean Lane; With Members of the CIO Community of Practice; and Change Technology Solutions Inc.; Silicon Valley CIO Round Table
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall Ptr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OIATU4

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