Man Behind the Iron Mask: A True Story

by John Noone

Book Overview

"For more than three hundred years the legend of 'the man in the iron mask' has held a place on the stage of human enquiry and debate. From the time of his incarceration during the reign of Louis XIV... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312123450
• ISBN13: 9780312123451
• Release Date: September 1994
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.8" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

A New Look at An Old Mystery

John Noone deserves much credit for originality. His proposed solution to the riddle of the "Masked Man" is, without a doubt, the most ingenious (and darkly hilarious) theory to date. Like all the earlier "solutions" to the riddle of this unfortunate man's identity, his theory is based largely on conjecture, but the tale he spins is so outrageous and unexpected it is, curiously, the most convincing answer yet. I would love to see other "Maskologists" do their own research into Noone's theory to see if it could be either strengthened or refuted. Whether you personally find his conclusions compelling or not, the background information Noone relates, with its many peculiar twists and turns (such as the stories of the still-mysterious "James de la Cloche" and France's most unwelcome dinner guest, the Marquise de Brinvilliers,) make lively reading for anyone interested in history's more dark and perverse corners.

And the Iron Mask is....?

I found this to be a detailed look at just about every theory that has been expounded about the Iron Mask. The great part was reading each new guess, agreeing with the author on the possibilities, then realizing that it couldn't possibly be that person because Noone then demolishes the theory. Highly enjoyable, and a read that hopefully will put away the tiresome "Twin Brother of Louis XIV" theory for good.

Great writing but wrongo deductions

This is one of the most complete compendia of theories as to who was the Man in the Iron Mask. However, at the end, Noone totally negates all theories in favor of his own: that the MITIM was...well I will let you find out for yourselves. It is a silly end to a great book.The MITIM is one of the enduring mysteries of French History, in itself fascinating even without the secret that has been hidden for 350 years. Will someone ever solve it? Perhaps.

Did Dumas really know who the man in the iron mask was?

Excellent! This book is a must for anyone interested in the "Man in the Iron Mask". Mr. Noone reveals some very interesting theories and possibilities as to who the MITIM really is. I STRONGLY recommend it!