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French Legends

By: Charles River Editors
Narrated by: Colin Fluxman
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Publisher's summary

"I die perfectly innocent of the so-called crimes of which I am accused. I pardon those who are the cause of my misfortunes." - Louis XVI

A lot of ink has been spilled covering the lives of history's most influential figures, but how much of the forest is lost for the trees? In Charles River Editors' French series, listeners can get caught up to speed on the lives of France's most important men and women in the time it takes to finish a commute, while learning interesting facts long forgotten or never known.

Louis XVI is one of the most famous kings of France, but for reasons he would have much rather avoided. Coming of age in the wake of the reign of the Sun King, Louis XIV, and his father, Louis XV, Louis XVI initially intended to be one of France's most enlightened kings. Instead, he was destined to be the only French king ever executed. Indeed, it is his death and his role in fomenting the French Revolution (along with his infamous queen, Marie Antoinette) that continue to play the central role in Louis XVI's legacy.

The abrupt demise of Louis XVI and his reign capped a tumultuous but important historical period for both France and the rest of the world. It was Louis XVI's wish to reform France in the mold of the Enlightenment and his failure to push those reforms against a reluctant aristocracy that emboldened and spurred those who would rebel against him. At the same time, his support for the American cause during the American Revolution in the 1770s was integral in securing that nation's freedom and further adding to France's financial woes.

©2012 Charles River Editors (P)2015 Charles River Editors
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Poor Louis 16

I loved the explanation of Louis’ financial difficulties.
Also, the description of Louis’ early life did much to solidify understanding of the man.He was, in part of victim of his times.

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The French Revolution in headline form

Given the length of this book compared to other biographies that are 20-30+ hours long it is no surprise that it is really just a rapid firing of facts and dates. Louis is overshadowed by the events of the Revolution in this story about him with only a few bits about his early childhood.

Pass on this one if you want a book with any real substance to it.

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