Josephine

Desire, Ambition, Napoleon

Kate Williams

$35

Paperback

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English

Arrow
01 August 2014

Biography: historical, political & military; History; European history; Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900

This is the incredible rise and unbelievable fall of a woman whose energy and ambition is often overshadowed by Napoleon's military might. In this triumphant biography, Kate Williams tells Josephine's searing story, of sexual obsession, politics and surviving as a woman in a man's world.

Abandoned in Paris by her aristocratic husband, Josephine's future did not look promising. But while her friends and contemporaries were sent to the guillotine during the Terror that followed the Revolution, she survived prison and emerged as the doyenne of a wildly debauched party scene, surprising everybody when she encouraged the advances of a short, marginalised Corsican soldier, six years her junior.

Josephine, the fabulous hostess and skilled diplomat, was the perfect consort to the ambitious but obnoxious Napoleon. With her by his side, he became the greatest man in Europe, the Supreme Emperor; and she amassed a jewellery box with more diamonds than Marie Antoinette's. But as his fame grew, Napoleon became increasingly obsessed with his need for an heir and irritated with Josephine's extravagant spending. The woman who had enchanted France became desperate and jealous.

Until, a divorcee aged forty-seven, she was forced to watch from the sidelines as Napoleon and his young bride produced a child.

By: Kate Williams
Imprint: Arrow
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 198mm, Width: 129mm, Spine: 24mm
Weight: 279g
ISBN: 9780099551423
ISBN 10: 009955142X
Pages: 368
Publication Date: 01 August 2014
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Kate Williams fell in love with the eighteenth century whilst studying for her BA at the University of Oxford. She has an MA from Queen Mary, University of London and a DPhil from the University of Oxford. She is also a lecturer and TV consultant, appearing regularly on BBC and Channel 4 programmes to discuss her work. She lives in London.

Reviews for Josephine: Desire, Ambition, Napoleon

Scintillating . . . Williams illuminates [Josephine's character] with skill. * Country Life * A whirlwind tour of French history. -- Virginia Rounding * Telegraph * Williams is the Cole Porter of 18th century history. Her serious and thorough investigation is presented in an accessible and playful way. * The Times * Kate Williams' entrancing biography of Josephine is a sparkling account of this most fallible and endearing of women. * Daily Mail *