Product Description

From 1853 to 1870 Eugenie de Montijo was Empress of the French, sharing the Second Empire with her husband Napoleon III. She impressed the Prussian Chancellor Bismarck so much that he called her 'The only man in Paris'. In sharp contrast to Queen Victoria, who met and admired her, and whose power was controlled by a constitutional monarchy, Eugenie influenced the policy of her husband, for over 17 years, at times, when he was at war, standing in for him as Regent. As crowned dictator, Napoleon's actions, and Eugenie's, affected the course of history throughout Europe and America.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #253194 in Books
• Published on: 2005-11-24
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

About the Author
Desmond Seward was born in Paris and educated at Cambridge University. He is the author of 22 books, including biographies of Henry IV of France, Eleanor of Acquitaine, Marie Antoinette, Napoleon's Family and Metternich.

Customer Reviews

Parvenu Empress ?
In 1853, Emperor Napoleon IIII announced his marriageto Eugénie de Montijo with the words "I have preferred a woman whom I love and respect to a woman unknown to me, with whom an alliance would have had advantages mixed with sacrifices.". So it sounded like a great love match, but in reality the Emperor was turned down proper royal princesses as he and his Emprire were regarded as parvenu. In a funny way it set the tone for much of her life and the Empire she presided over.

Born Doña María Eugenia Ignacia Augustina de Palafox de Guzmán Portocarrero y Kirkpatrick, Marchioness of Ardales, Marchioness of Moya, Countess of Teba, Countess of Montijo and Countess of Ablitas, she was the daughter of the Duke of Peñaranda, a Spanish Grandee, and his half Scotish, half Flemish wife. Her sister became the Duchess of Alba. As grand as these titles were, they were not far grand enough to be Empress. But Napoleon III chose her.

Eugenie became by her beauty, elegance, and charm of manner the center of elegance of the Court and contributed greatly to the brilliance of the imperial regime so well documented in innumerable paintings, especially by her favourite portraitist, Winterhalter.Her dress sense dominated European fashion. Queen Victoria described her with the words "grace, elegance, sweetness and nature". And as strange as it seems the dmall, dumy and plain Victoria and the willowy, graceful and stylish Eugenie became great friends. What Queen Victoria lost in the fashion department, she made up with regal authority, true majesty. A nice story told illustrate taht very much: during the state visit of the Imperial couple there was a performance. When the royal couples entered their box, Queen Victoria sat down without looking whether a chair was behind her, while the Empress checked.

But Eugenie was far more than merely a cloth horse. She was an intelligent woman and her political influence increased over the years, especially as the Emperor started fading. However, her influence was not always good and well thought through. The Empress survived the Emprire and lived with husband and her only son in exile in England. Here the Emperor died and her son served in the British army and was killed in action in South Africa. She died 1920 when the world of Second Empire had been forgotten and with this she.

Desmond Seward revives her and her world. It is a beautiful written book, written with elegance and style. One learns a lot about the Empress. It is very symapthetic to her and I feel it is a bit too much. Especially the Empress political work and influence has to be viewed in a more critical light. Inspite of all her glamour she could not prevent the collapse of the Empire. But all in all it is a book worthwhile reading. I enjoyed it very much.

Eugenie Exceptional!!
I don't know how I missed this book when it first came out, but the publication of a new edition paperback put me on a search for a hard copy edition (Thank you, Amazon - love you guys!!).
The book is an excellent read. Got more information than ever on Eugenie. Really got to know the Empress and the Lady so much better than any book I've read before - and there aren't many. This woman was an exception to her times. SHE should have ruled France - they would have been a whole lot better off. But this wasn't to be. I highly recommend this book. I loved it.