In battle he fought with legendary valor . . . At court, dressed in silks and ribbons, he openly favored his male lovers . . . Despised but feared by his brother, he was the perpetual loser in a lifelong sibling rivalry . . . Brother to the Sun King: Philippe, Duke of Orleans.
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Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
Louis XIV's younger brother Philippe (1640-1701) is usually portrayed as a court buffoon, one who took delight in displaying his male lovers and suffering public humiliation. Making judicious, undogmatic, and expert use of some psychobiographical techniques, Barker offers a sympathetic portrait of this troubled, intelligent man, who was always compelled to submit to his older brother. A good father, a sharp patron of the arts, and a shrewd businessman, Philippe helped to pave the way for the wealth, power, and popularity of his descendants. Many of Barker's findings come from the recently opened private archives of the Orleans family. The impressive scholarship will please scholars, and the lively and accessible style will attract general readers. Recommended for all university and large public libraries.
- Thomas J. Schaeper, St. Bonaventure Univ., N.Y.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
- Thomas J. Schaeper, St. Bonaventure Univ., N.Y.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
Combines archival research with twentieth-century psychological insights to illuminate a sad life of Philippe d'Orléans... Skillfully portrays Philippe's personality and that of others.
(Wilson Library Bulletin )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent study of Philippe, Duke of Orleans,
By
This review is from: Brother to the Sun King: Philippe, Duke of Orleans (Paperback)
As only brother to the Sun King, Louis XIV of France, Philippe, Duke of Orleans lived forever in the shadow of his older brother. Because of the numerous uprisings in France by a younger brother of the King, Philippe was taught from birth that he could never outshine his brother or be given any prominent place in his government. Because of this, Philippe led a fairly "wasted" life, perhaps best known for his flagrant homosexuality. Yet author Nancy Nichols Barker points out that when allowed to shine, the Duke was a competent soldier, lover of fine arts, good father and the founder of the Orleans dynasty which eventually ruled France. While the progeny of Louis XIV died out with the revolution, the descendants of Philippe populated the great Catholic thrones of Europe. The author does a good job with source material and especially the "psychological" background of her characters, such as Philippe and his two wives, Henriette of England and Elizabeth Charlotte of Palatine. The first marriage was a disaster but the second marriage flourished for a long time. Elizabeth Charlotte or Liselotte is given a major part of the biography and her background is presented in a very interesting manner. I would recommend this book highly to anyone interested in French history.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
That is the best book I ever read!,
By Elena Steingrad (Konstanz, Deutschland) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Brother to the Sun King: Philippe, Duke of Orleans (Paperback)
The story of Philippe, brother of Louis XIV (also known as Sun King) is very exciting and iteresting. The book provides knowledge not only about Philippe, but also about his surroundings and with link to all possible things that were happening in France of that time. The description of his life is not like in most history books - you can even feel the atmosphere as you were there! You can also learn about Louis XIV from it and about their family realtions. The book covers both official and privat aspects of Philippe's life. Great book and very good work of the author!
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very interesting,
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This review is from: Brother to the Sun King: Philippe, Duke of Orleans (Paperback)
Though I disagree with some of the author's opinions, it's always good to read and learn more about easily misjudged historic characters.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
On Christmas night 1639 Louis XIII, king of France, allegedly startled his court with the order to prepare his bed in the chamber of the queen. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
proprietary holdings, ooo livres, grand dauphin, future regent, central corps, vingt millions Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Palais Royal, Maria Theresa, Elizabeth Charlotte, Karl Ludwig, Grande Mademoiselle, William of Orange, Aunt Sophie, Mme de Maintenon, Dutch War, Marie Louise, War of Devolution, Mlle de Blois, Spanish Netherlands, Battle of Cassel, Colbert de Croissy, Mme de Montespan, Henrietta Maria, Henriette of England, Mme de La Fayette, Mme de Motteville, Mme de Saint Chaumont, Petit Monsieur, Sun King, War of the League of Augsburg, Anne of Austria New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
On Christmas night 1639 Louis XIII, king of France, allegedly startled his court with the order to prepare his bed in the chamber of the queen. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
proprietary holdings, ooo livres, grand dauphin, future regent, central corps, vingt millions Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Palais Royal, Maria Theresa, Elizabeth Charlotte, Karl Ludwig, Grande Mademoiselle, William of Orange, Aunt Sophie, Mme de Maintenon, Dutch War, Marie Louise, War of Devolution, Mlle de Blois, Spanish Netherlands, Battle of Cassel, Colbert de Croissy, Mme de Montespan, Henrietta Maria, Henriette of England, Mme de La Fayette, Mme de Motteville, Mme de Saint Chaumont, Petit Monsieur, Sun King, War of the League of Augsburg, Anne of Austria New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 35
books:
See all 35 books this book cites
4
books
cite this book:
- Collected Papers: v. 1 (International Psycho-Analysis Library) by Sigmund Freud on 4 pages
- Freud for Historians (Oxford Paperbacks) by Peter Gay in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
- The Search for the Self: Selected Writings of Heinz Kohut : 1978-1981 by Heinz Kohut in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- The Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud (The Standard Edition) (Vol. 1-24 Volume Set) (Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud) by Sigmund Freud in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- The Sun King by Nancy Mitford in Front Matter, and page 206
See all 35 books this book cites
- Priceless Markets: The Political Economy of Credit in Paris, 1660-1870 by Philip T. Hoffman in Back Matter
- Edo and Paris: Urban Life and the State in the Early Modern Era by James L. McClain on page 78
- The Wreck of the Belle, the Ruin of La Salle (Number 48: Centennial Series of the Association of Former Students, Texas A&M University) by Robert S. Weddle in Back Matter
- Sex and Conquest : Gendered Violence, Political Order and the European Conquest of the Americas by Richard C. Trexler in Back Matter
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