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588 ratings, 4.46 average rating, 153 reviews
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published
September 2nd 2002
by Headline Publishing Group
binding
Paperback, 1248 pages
isbn
0755300920
(isbn13: 9780755300921)
description
An irresistible story of love and loss, of political intrigue and revolution, and of the transformation of an impressionable young girl into one of th...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 815)
Read in August, 2008
recommended to Katie by:
Patty W.recommends it for: anyone who likes historical novels
These three books are sooooooo good. They are written in the form of a diary - Josephine Bonaparts diary and so you get a very intimate look into the lives of Jesephine, Napoleon, and their surrounding friends and family.
They begin with Josephine as a young girl on the Island of Martinico and take the reader all the way through the Reign of Terror, Napoleons rise to power, his exile, and eventually the death of Josephine. There are tons of fascinating characters and all the stories are so fas...more
They begin with Josephine as a young girl on the Island of Martinico and take the reader all the way through the Reign of Terror, Napoleons rise to power, his exile, and eventually the death of Josephine. There are tons of fascinating characters and all the stories are so fas...more
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This is a 3 book series that you will love. It really gives a sweeping portrayl of Josephine's life and a time in history when things were different. These books carry you from her childhood, through turmoil with her first husband, and then into her falling for Napoleon and all that happens.
You will really love this series if you like historical fiction.
You will really love this series if you like historical fiction.
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Read in August, 2008
Just finished the first book, and I really enjoyed it. I wanted to wait until I finish the series to write my review, but so far, very enjoyable.
Update: Finished the second book in the series. Josephine/Rose is a very charismatic character, and I like the letters/diary format.
New Update: I finished the third book. A wonderful series!
Update: Finished the second book in the series. Josephine/Rose is a very charismatic character, and I like the letters/diary format.
New Update: I finished the third book. A wonderful series!
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Read in June, 2008
recommended to Lexie by:
Mykin
It took some time to get into the first book, but through most of the first and the second and third, I was very emotionally connected to the characters and the story. I enjoyed learning about Napolean and all that went on in his day. I was mad at him one day and pleased with him the next. I would definitely recomend these ones.
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Read in September, 2007
recommends it for:
Historic Fiction Lovers
Few times have I read a trilogy where all three books were equally good. I could not put them down. You will be shocked how much you don't know about the French Revolution and the Bonaparte's. What an eye opener. I bought this hard to find and out of print collection online and gave it to my mother for Christmas.
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Read in January, 2006
recommended to Amy by:
Angierecommends it for: Ginger, Heather, Capri, Ivy
These are my favorite books of all time. I learned so much about the French revolution. Also I just love Josephine. I also loved the way the books explained so much about the 1800's. It was even interesting to read about the plays that they would go to. I really wish that some more of my sisters would read them!
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Read in March, 2008
recommended to Judy by:
Laura Freemanrecommends it for: anyone who likes historical fiction
The historical novel captivated my imagination....in spite of the number of pages, the book was a relatively quick read. Insightful, historical and credible, I really enjoyed reviewing my French historical knowledge. I want to visit Mal Maison...Josephine's country property outside France.
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2 comments
Such great historical fiction! I absolutely sped through this entire series.
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These are 3 of my favorite books of all time. I have always been a reader, even as a little one, but after reading the first Josephine B. book about 6 years ago, I found a whole new love for reading and a brand new love for historical fiction.
We all know Josephine Bonaparte as Napoleon Bonaparte's wife but never could I have guessed that her life was more interesting then her crazy husband's.
The journey begins in Martinque where Rose Tascher (she changes her name to Josephine when s...more
We all know Josephine Bonaparte as Napoleon Bonaparte's wife but never could I have guessed that her life was more interesting then her crazy husband's.
The journey begins in Martinque where Rose Tascher (she changes her name to Josephine when s...more
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Read in August, 2008
recommended to Michelle by:
I found it at B&Nrecommends it for: Every woman I know
What can I say about this collection. Utterly addictive.
This book still haunts me- but in a good way. I just finished it a couple days ago and I'm hungry for more. I think about Josephine Bonaparte all time. I just loved being a part of her world!
First off Sandra Gulland is a polite, accurate and graceful writer. The three books connected perfectly and I really formed a strong connection with every character. After I read this I went on to find another Josephine book that might give me ev...more
This book still haunts me- but in a good way. I just finished it a couple days ago and I'm hungry for more. I think about Josephine Bonaparte all time. I just loved being a part of her world!
First off Sandra Gulland is a polite, accurate and graceful writer. The three books connected perfectly and I really formed a strong connection with every character. After I read this I went on to find another Josephine book that might give me ev...more
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Read in July, 2005
i read this series for the first time when i was staying in london and i nearly made a trip to paris simply to visit malmaison.
i had no real knowledge of josephine prior to reading this series and precious little understanding of the french revolution. these books are loaded with history, but not to the point one feels 'lectured to'. written in the style of journals, they give the reader insight into the author's interpretation of josephine's personal development from childhood through deat...more
i had no real knowledge of josephine prior to reading this series and precious little understanding of the french revolution. these books are loaded with history, but not to the point one feels 'lectured to'. written in the style of journals, they give the reader insight into the author's interpretation of josephine's personal development from childhood through deat...more
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Read in August, 2007
recommends it for:
Lovers of historical fiction and lovers of strong female characters
I doubt that this is necessarily an historically accurate picture of Josephine's life, but it is most certainly an entertaining one. And there are some things that can be learned from the book.
The books are written in the fashion of Josephine's own diary entries, from her life as a teenager in Martinique, before she comes to Paris to marry, to the end of her marriage with Napoleon, including the time she spent in prison during the days of the Terror. The style cuts straight to the heart ...more
The books are written in the fashion of Josephine's own diary entries, from her life as a teenager in Martinique, before she comes to Paris to marry, to the end of her marriage with Napoleon, including the time she spent in prison during the days of the Terror. The style cuts straight to the heart ...more
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Read in July, 2006
This was an excellent series. It brought the personality of Josephine to life for me. This was someone who used her position, even though it was quite limited, to help those who were less fortunate than she. This was told in the form of Josephine's diary, and you felt as though you were experiencing her life with her. Gulland was very careful with historical detail. She helped to show how Napoleon's endless thirst for glory was poison to him and to those around him, especially to Josephine....more
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Read in August, 2007
An excellent trilogy- I would recommend to anyone even if you don't like historical fiction. Great characters, interesting plot and story. Even though most people are familiar with the storyline (true to history) the emotions and progression are surprisingly fresh.
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A friend of mine gave me the collection and at first I thought "I'll never read these". But once I started the first one, I fell in love with the books. In fact, once I finished them, I started on the Philippa Gregory series.
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Read in July, 2006
I never would have picked this book trilogy off the shelf, but I received a copy of the first book as a gift from a well-read friend. The first few pages didn't grab me, but once I got to about page 10, I was hooked. I flew through these three books really quickly, and the book has to be good for me to do that! Through the books, I learned the story of Josephine Bonaparte, Napoleon's wife. And through her life, I learned so much about the history of France during some very turbulent, interes...more
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I absolutely loved these books! All of the women in my family had read them and told me I HAD to read them. I'm sure glad I did and would highly recommend them.
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It started a little slow, but I've really enjoyed it. The main character isn't fully believable, but that doesn't create serious problems.
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The fictionalized account of the life of Josephine Bonaparte. A history lesson and a GREAT read, I enjoyed all 3 books very much.
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Read in February, 2008
A historical fiction novel, follows the life story of Napoleon's wife, very well written and I really liked it. It does take place during the French Revolution, so some of the subject matter is a little harsh, but historically interesting. I found Josephine to be so interesting and layered.
Warning; again, it's France (they love to love - which often had me in knots) and it's war (which is never pretty), but I do love a good historical fiction and the author does a great job anotating her...more
Warning; again, it's France (they love to love - which often had me in knots) and it's war (which is never pretty), but I do love a good historical fiction and the author does a great job anotating her...more
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