Read about the other books on the list.Marie Antoinette: The Journey
by Antonia Fraser
Antonia Fraser explores the life of France’s ill-fated queen, from her early life as an Austrian archduchess to her final days as a political prisoner during the revolution. Through it all, Fraser creates a highly sympathetic portrait of Marie Antoinette, detailing her humiliations, such as the very public fact that she and her husband were unable to consummate their marriage for seven years. Fraser defends the queen’s lavish spending on clothing and jewelry, which was not uncommon at the time. She also puts to rest several famous unfounded rumors about Marie Antoinette, many of which, Fraser insists, were created by her enemies to discredit her.
Also see Howard Bloch's five best books about France.
--Marshal Zeringue