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123rd out of 139 books
—
46 voters
Versailles: A Biography of a Palace
The behind-the-scenes story of the world’s most famous palace, painting a picture of the way its residents truly lived and examining the palace’s legacy, from French history through today
The story of Versailles is one of historical drama, under the last three kings of France’s old regime, mixed with the high camp and glamour of the European courts, all in an iconic ho
Hardcover, 272 pages
Published
October 14th 2008
by St. Martin's Press
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Having read over the years numerous books about the last two hundred years of the French Bourbon Kings, here is a book about the place so much of it took place: the sprawling palace complex of Versailles. At the time Louis XIV began to enlarge the hunting retreat of his father, he was not quite on the top of the heap of European power and prestige. His new palace was meant to send an unmistakable message to everyone that la France was the center of politics, fashion, religion, and architecture,...more
I have read many books about the last three French kings before the revolution, but this is the first book that actually gave a behind the scenes look into the everyday life of Versailles.
Starting with Louis XIV's distrust of Paris and his need to feel in control; he not only built a home for himself but transferred the entire government to his palace, never mind the cost to France.
Eventually Versailles became a world unto itself, ignoring Paris and the rest of France. If you wanted to succeed y...more
Starting with Louis XIV's distrust of Paris and his need to feel in control; he not only built a home for himself but transferred the entire government to his palace, never mind the cost to France.
Eventually Versailles became a world unto itself, ignoring Paris and the rest of France. If you wanted to succeed y...more
Spawforth's Versailles is more a biography of court life than a biography of the palace itself. The chapters do more to illustrate what life was like at Versailles than to show a biography of the palace itself. Therefore, the sub-title A Biography of a Palace is misleading.
Spawforth, however, does illustrate in somewhat entertaining detail what court life at the palace was like. He includes detail about etiquette, for instance, when men could put their hats back on, as well as daily life of the...more
Spawforth, however, does illustrate in somewhat entertaining detail what court life at the palace was like. He includes detail about etiquette, for instance, when men could put their hats back on, as well as daily life of the...more
Very interesting history of this place. Here is a but from the book which I have to pass along that I found in the chapter called Comforts-or lack of them:
“The great advantage of the new device (the toilet) was the absence of smell. A luxurious installation of marble, porcelain, and mahogany, the king’s was kept so clean that Louis XVI once sat down without noticing an enormous angora cat curled up contentedly in the perfumed bowl. When events galvanized the cat into attacking the sovereign from...more
“The great advantage of the new device (the toilet) was the absence of smell. A luxurious installation of marble, porcelain, and mahogany, the king’s was kept so clean that Louis XVI once sat down without noticing an enormous angora cat curled up contentedly in the perfumed bowl. When events galvanized the cat into attacking the sovereign from...more
I enjoyed this book a lot, as it gave me a greater appreciation for what it must have been like to really live there. I have 2 criticisms- 1: I found the way that the author switched between monarchs and time frames a bit confusing to follow. I would have liked his book organized more clearly by theme and chronology. 2: The description of Versailles' 'life' after the Revolution was too brief, I wanted to know more! Still, overall, a good book for people who love to read about France and its roya...more
This was less a biography of a palace than a loosely strung series of vignettes that served only to remind me that I knew all this stuff about the kings...and I still don't know anything about this palace.
It doesn't even have that many pictures. You'd think that a biography of a palace would have...I don't know...floor plans...it had one...of one area.
The only map of the area was the end papers.
Seriously, people. I don't ask a whole lot, but a map would have been nice.
It doesn't even have that many pictures. You'd think that a biography of a palace would have...I don't know...floor plans...it had one...of one area.
The only map of the area was the end papers.
Seriously, people. I don't ask a whole lot, but a map would have been nice.
This was another book that I was pleasantly surprised by. It's full of all sorts of trivia, all built around the history of the palace of Versailles, including the town and the people within. This one is a must read for anyone interest in Ancient Regime France.
For the longer review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/review/Book_V...
For the longer review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/review/Book_V...
The facts themselves are always interesting, but the thematic chapters that the author has created do not seem to give the book any cohesion when he quickly jumps around in time. Maybe a more traditional chronological overview of Versailles would have been better. At minimum, more diagrams and illustrations of the palace in the context of the narrative would have helped immensely.
An extremely readable history of the palace and the politics and social network within it. Totally fascinating, very well organized, and clearly written. Spawforth helpfully includes interesting facts about Versailles in modern day and the restorations being done to it. Could have included more photographs though.
One of those books that you can just pick up, flip to a random page, and start reading. I love that in a book. Will also inspire you to find all sorts of other books about French court life to elaborate more on the snippets you find here. Awesome.
Great if you are visiting the palace. Could have done with less detail about the various members of the court's endless scheming, but it did go a way toward illustrating how miserable it must have been to be living there.
After actually visiting Versailles I came home dying to learn more. This book gave me everything I needed: history, interesting trivia, and the story behind (in my opinion) one of the most beautiful places on earth.
If you like French history this is the book for you. Fascinating info on the building, the daily life(feeding 6,000!), the history and the people involved from its inception.
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11332391
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11332391
Juicy! You can finally find out about the toilets in Versailles.
944.3663 Spa
Material is more like a reference book overall. Includes insights into the unbelievable sheer numbers of the place, plus how humans worked and lived there.
Loved little bits of information, like how Marie-Antoinette got hit by a careless servant emptying a chamber pot! The information about the actual building (construction, renovations etc...) was a bit dry. I suppose I was mostly in it for the 18th century Star Magazine info
Aug 14, 2011
Kate
added it
Interesting read. Makes me want to return to Versailles and appreciate its history first-hand.
Very interesting look at the actual living arrangements in 18th century France.
May 11, 2013
Kristin
marked it as to-read
May 08, 2013
Joannmuench Muench
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May 07, 2013
Terri Robinson
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May 06, 2013
Evan
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May 06, 2013
Lisa
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Apr 29, 2013
Bridget
marked it as to-read
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