My Beloved Talleyrand: The Life of a Scoundrel by His Last Mistress

by Steve Pieczenik

Book Overview

'I am first to admit that a woman, especially a young woman, does not attach herself to a brilliant, older, accomplished man without seeing some reward at the end. I may have been a master in the art... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0595342086
• ISBN13: 9780595342082
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 280 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Full of insight and a wonderful read

The authors have created a unique avenue into a tumultous period of history. Talleyrand's extraordinary era is brought alive by the intelligent treatment of the key characters, and by the psychological authenticity of their stories. Highly recommended.

what it is

The past is just like the present only there is less of it. This book approaches Talleyrand from an interesting perspective: his final mistress. The plot must be a story rather than a laundry list of facts however accurate. The very fact that things are not always understood then as they are now by a professor of history ( to offer a far-fetched example) does not detract from the book. Indeed, it adds, frankly, a soupcon of authenticity. Who knows what then as now is less important than who does the knowing. Who knew of Dorothea before this book? As a result, this book is not a conventional history as much as it is an unconventional story well told. Is it all true? Quite beside the point: it's all almost possible enough... to turn the next page.

A Frolic In French History

My Beloved Talleyrand is a guided tour, with the mistress with whom Talleyrand spent his mature years as the tour guide. She lived with him from the Congress of Vienna through the years in London, and his final years in France. And she knows his history -- aide to Louis XVI, conspiritor in the Revolution, foreign minister to Napolean, advisor and ambassador to the restored monarchy. Talleyrand had unique roles in a pivotal time of western history, and his mistress tells the story with an eye for the intrigue, swagger, and power politics of the time.

Couldn't put it down!

This is such a fascinating, well written book. Great for the beach this summer, book club, or before bed! Jeffrey Slavin Somerset, Maryland

A must read

I loved "My Beloved Talleyrand"- it is an excellent read that I enjoyed so much, it has instantly won a place on my list of books to periodically re-read. The history lesson is all there but it comes so alive with personal detail and places, you'd be forgiven for thinking you were reading a novel. Absorbing characters, riveting plot, great writing. I hope the authors will write more histories in this highly readable, sophisticated, witty and literate style.