The Last Prince of the Mexican Empire is a sweeping historical novel of Mexico during the short, tragic, at times surreal, reign of Emperor Maximil...
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Nov 28, 2010
Felice
rated it: 
could have picked up The Last Prince of Mexican Empire by C.M. Mayo because of the lovely cover but I didn't. It was the title. It has a magical quality. I took it to be a metaphor for something because I was unaware of Mexico ever having had a prince. Chalk that up to my weak education and the Prince not being mentioned in the movie Juarez.
In 1864 His Imperial and Royal Highness Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph, Prince Imperial and Archduke of Austria, Prince Royal of Hungary and Bohemia More...
In 1864 His Imperial and Royal Highness Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph, Prince Imperial and Archduke of Austria, Prince Royal of Hungary and Bohemia More...
May 08, 2010
Patty
rated it: 
I have to admit to a woeful lack of knowledge about Mexico's history. That is part of what drew me to this book in the first place. Being someone who is drawn to historical novels but who usually chooses books written about European countries this was going to be a learning experience for me.
I am so very glad I decided to learn as I have found a new favorite book.
The Last Prince of the Mexican Empire tells the tale of Augustin de Inturbide y Green and so much more. After More...
I am so very glad I decided to learn as I have found a new favorite book.
The Last Prince of the Mexican Empire tells the tale of Augustin de Inturbide y Green and so much more. After More...
Nov 03, 2009
Garryvivianne
rated it:
This was an excellent book. The story is based on the time in Mexico when Maximillian Von Habsburg was sent to Mexico to rule the country. He has been forced to take this position & give up all he had in Austria, and was basically forced to sign a pact with his family to reflect this. He & Carlotta, unable to have children, take in small Agustin De Iturbide as heir presumptive. The young Iturbide, whose mother is an American & his father, who belonged to a family from Mexico that was once roya
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Aug 08, 2011
Rodrigo
rated it: 
What an enjoyable book! I read it in Spanish, and being mexican myself I can tell that it was a real pleasure. You can tell there is a huge research behind it, and a great respect for Mexico, its history and its people, which is not always seen in foreign writers' books about Mexico. It is written as a fiction, not as an historical document, and it takes you through one of the most captivating periods of Mexican life as a nation. The description of the main characters is absolutely beautiful, a
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Dec 19, 2011
Richard
rated it: 
Rating: A sad, sorry 2* of five
The Last Prince of the Mexican Empire by C.M. Mayo is an unsuccessful attempt to nnovelize a fascinating non-fictional research project: The French occupation of Mexico during the American Civil War.
The novelization attempt was made because, the author tells us, the non-fictional format would have prevented her from giving her take on what the characters in these events would have thought and felt. I agree, Ms. Mayo; why didn't you do that, then More...
The Last Prince of the Mexican Empire by C.M. Mayo is an unsuccessful attempt to nnovelize a fascinating non-fictional research project: The French occupation of Mexico during the American Civil War.
The novelization attempt was made because, the author tells us, the non-fictional format would have prevented her from giving her take on what the characters in these events would have thought and felt. I agree, Ms. Mayo; why didn't you do that, then More...
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May 05, 2009
Serena
rated it:
C.M. Mayo takes an in-depth look into one of Mexico's most turbulent times when its government was plagued by invaders (the Yankees and the French), in-fighting, and disease, like yellow fever.
The Last Prince of the Mexican Empire by C.M. Mayo and published by Unbridled Books is a historical novel that chronicles the short reign (about 3 years) of Maximilian, the undercurrent of political ambition, the clash of cultures, and internal familial machinations.
The novel opens More...
The Last Prince of the Mexican Empire by C.M. Mayo and published by Unbridled Books is a historical novel that chronicles the short reign (about 3 years) of Maximilian, the undercurrent of political ambition, the clash of cultures, and internal familial machinations.
The novel opens More...
Jan 11, 2011
Cynthia
rated it:
A European monarchy in Mexico--who knew?
There's an emperor who has to resign his place in the House of Hapsburg to rule in Mexico and cares more about botany and his bug collection than fighting the Juaristas and securing Mexico; an empress who sinks into insanity, won't eat because she's convinced everything is poisoned, and acts the lunatic while visiting the Pope in Rome; then there's the central story of Augustin de Iturbide y Green--the half-American, half-Mexican toddler that More...
There's an emperor who has to resign his place in the House of Hapsburg to rule in Mexico and cares more about botany and his bug collection than fighting the Juaristas and securing Mexico; an empress who sinks into insanity, won't eat because she's convinced everything is poisoned, and acts the lunatic while visiting the Pope in Rome; then there's the central story of Augustin de Iturbide y Green--the half-American, half-Mexican toddler that More...
Nov 14, 2011
Myckyee
rated it:
Based on a true story, this novel describes the events surrounding Maximilian’s time as emperor of Mexico in the 1860’s. With his wife Carlotta, the emperor rules the unstable country amidst intrigues from Napoleon’s military machine that have been sent to Mexico to keep the peace and support Maximilian. The military’s biggest challenge is dealing with the Juarista’s, rebel Mexican fighters trying to take back their country from the emperor and the French occupation.
Into this turbul More...
Into this turbul More...
Sep 15, 2011
drey
rated it:
I picked out The Last Prince because of the cover - it's beautiful. The story made me so sad for the poor little boy, looking for the familiar faces of his parents, his nurse; wondering where they were. I had a hard time imagining how they could give him up - I could never give up my little man. At least not till he's a sullen, rebellious teenager, lol!
The story's characters & motivations are complex, as I hope it should be for those who've contemplated giving up a toddler (sniffle). C More...
The story's characters & motivations are complex, as I hope it should be for those who've contemplated giving up a toddler (sniffle). C More...
Apr 07, 2010
Luz
rated it:
Came into it with high expectations and was a bit let down. The history was very interesting and something I was not that familiar with but it soon got bogged down with so many characters that came and went and really didn't seem to add much to the story. All of a sudden some pages after, they would reappear and I would need to go back and see who exactly they were.
It was a very long book and it seemed the writer got tired after a while and decided simply to stop and finish.
It was a very long book and it seemed the writer got tired after a while and decided simply to stop and finish.
Nov 01, 2009
Carolyn
rated it:
I started this book in August, put it down many times, and finished it in November. I'm really not sure why I kept going. The topic- the 1860s installation of a Hapsburg emperor to the Mexican throne- intrigued me as I am pretty good with European history but had not heard about this. The complexity is confounding. A group of wealthy Mexicans wanting to preserve the status quo in the face of Juarista reforms manages to convince Louis Napoleon to establish an empire in Mexico. HOWEVER, there are
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Jul 28, 2011
Unable to have their own little Habsburg, Maximilian and Carlota adopted/kidnapped the grandson of Augustin Iturbide to threaten Franz Joseph and placate the Mexican elite--this is a nicely done novel using his American mother's struggle to get him back to frame the collapse of the Mexican Empire.
Sep 18, 2010
Lora
rated it:
Wonderful historical novel about the fascinating Mexican Emperor, Maximilian. Although he vowed as a 12-year old, "I shall not forget who I truly am," he lost his identity along his political climb and a complicated marriage to Charlotte.
Jan 19, 2011
Shari
rated it:
I usually enjoy historical fiction and this one is intricate and vivid and detailed but I also found this story – of the Hapsburg rule of Mexico (1865) – fairly boring …there was a lot (well) written but not much happened!
May 29, 2009
Brenda
rated it:
An interesting story but a little bogged down with sentimental detail. Reads more like a romance, in some parts, than a historical fiction. Not great for me, but wonderful for someone into royal soap operas.
May 20, 2009
Robert
rated it:
This is historical fiction. I liked the book because the author has fictionalized a true story in a true historical setting. One critic stated that what you really learn about is Mexico and I love Mexico.
Jan 05, 2010
L.
rated it:
Fantastic historical novel based on true events. Who knew that the son of a Washington, D.C. woman became the last Prince of Mexico as the adopted son of Maxmillian of Austria.
May 24, 2011
Deborah
rated it:
An engrossing story that begins with a fairy-tale like quality and pulls the reader in with its sweeping, fictional rendering of a Mexico in a time of historical transition.
Jun 19, 2011
Sheila
rated it:
I always enjoy learning new things about mexico.
The characters were interesting and well rounded. Although this being a historical novel it in no way diminished the richness of description. It was easy for me to get lost in the time and lives of the people.
The characters were interesting and well rounded. Although this being a historical novel it in no way diminished the richness of description. It was easy for me to get lost in the time and lives of the people.
Aug 21, 2011
Joni
rated it:
I should not have waited so long to read this. I am also going to order it in Spanish and recommend it to some of my Mexican National customers.
Apr 04, 2011
JennyB
rated it:
This was historical fiction, and in such, you expect a certain broad brushed artistic license. Turns out, even the minute conversations were historically accurate. Very interesting, and reading while living in Mexico City, found it very true to the location, the culture, and the politics.
Jun 11, 2009
Facinating history of the Hapsburg Maximillian's rule of Mexico. Details of life and times are fun and interesting.
Mar 02, 2010
Won this book as part of a historical fiction bundle with two other books from The Book Studio.
Dec 18, 2009
Teddy
rated it:
Historical fiction is my passion, however I have never read any based on Mexican history. In fact, I know very little about Mexican history so I was very excited when I got the chance to receive a review copy of this book!
C.M. Mayo is a gifted writer and kept Mexican history at the forefront of this novel, with some beautiful passages. However, I had trouble
Read my full review here:
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2009/07/la...
C.M. Mayo is a gifted writer and kept Mexican history at the forefront of this novel, with some beautiful passages. However, I had trouble
Read my full review here:
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2009/07/la...
Sep 20, 2010
Tuck
rated it:
quite an accomplishment, get on the inside of royalty in the midst of setting up a new empire, Mexico 1870's. great historical novel and very unique writing style.
Nov 21, 2011
This just isn't grabbing me right now. Maybe I'll come back to it another time.
Jan 21, 2012
