RitsuKitsune

Marie Antoinette: An Intimate History - Melanie Clegg

Well, this one is tricky. In one hand - interesting to read and ( most importantly ) captures Louis XVI's character as well as Queen's. Easy to read and captures from first page. But still I can't recommend it to serious readers. Because two reasons. First - cover. It looks like some cheap romantic novel than a serious biography. And we judge book by the cover. ( yes, we all do it, don't try to lie that YOU don't ) Second - it feels like cheap novel - no references, no sources, nothing. Just list of books about Marie Antoinette like some kind of joke. In short - if you Marie Antoinette's fan, you finished all others biographies and searching something light to read, take it.

Louis XVI: The Silent King - John Hardman
A lot of books about Marie Antoinette, French revolution portraying last king of France like lazy, extra shy, stupid and ignorant. And it is done for many reasons - to justified blood shed and the need of revolution, possibility of romance with much "better" man, showing people around him in much better light than they would be if king would be different. This books focus in Louis XVI political actions and character with very little touch of his family life. And it was so refreshing to read about active, intelligence and goodhearted king. Yes, he made mistakes, he was shy but had really good head and heart and really care for his people. I strongly recommend to read everyone who interested in French revolution and Marie Antoinette. Author don't look like Louis XVI fanboy and showing king political decisions in objective light as humanly possible.