subject: Josephine: Napoleon's Incomparable Empress: a Review [print this page] Josephine: Napoleon's Incomparable Empress / by Eleanor P. DeLorme. (Abrams Books, 2002). Hardcover, 248 p. ISBN 9780810912298
Josephine: Napoleon's Incomparable Empress describes the rags to riches tale of one of the more interesting women in modern times. Raised in an impoverished but aristocratic family, Josephine Tascher de la Pagerie married a rich young army officer named Alexandre de Beauharnais in 1779 and bore him two children. Alexandre met the guillotine during the Reign of Terror, and Josephine herself found herself in prison awaiting execution. Instead, the Terror came to an end and she was released.
Once the Revolution moved into a less violent stage, Josephine caught the eye of another young army officer, Napoleon Bonaparte, and eventually agreed to marry him. She had little enthusiasm for the marriage and carried on an affair that caused Napoleon to threaten divorce. Her children dissuaded him. When Napoleon became Emperor in 1804, Josephine became Empress.
Often the wife or husband of a ruling monarch has little influence and less historical interest. Josephine has held a special fascination not only because of her sometimes stormy but always passionate relationship with Napoleon. Eleanor DeLorme has delved into their correspondence, her children's memoirs, and other primary source material to produce a sparkling biography.
Josephine served as an elegant hostess at state events. A major patron of the arts, she collected the highest-quality works she could get her hands on. Her exquisite taste influenced other art collectors all over the Empire. In addition to these well-known aspects of Josephine's life, DeLorme's detailed research has brought to life how much Napoleon depended upon her to set the tone for the Empire. Ultimately, however, her extravagant spending and her inability to produce a son led Napoleon to have their marriage annulled so he could make a more politically convenient marriage.
DeLorme's book is not only delightfully written, but beautifully illustrated. Besides portraits of Josephine, her family, and other important dignitaries, it contains many contemporary paintings and drawings of the important events of her life. Because of Josephine's position, Josephine: Napoleon's Incomparable Empress not only sheds new light on her life, but also the turbulent era in which she lived.
Josephine: Napoleon's Incomparable Empress: a Review
By: All-Purpose Guru
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