Josephine: Napoleon's Incomparable Empress (Hardcover)

~ Eleanor P. Delorme (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

DeLorme, a fellow of the International Napoleon Society, is a self-professed lover of France and of Josephine. Her admiration for the empress does not, however, tip over into worship; her subject clearly had her flaws, chief among them extravagance and a degree of sexual looseness. In presenting Josephine's story from her birth on Martinique to her marriage to the aristocrat Alexandre de Beauharnais, who died on the guillotine, and her own narrow escape from that same fate, her marriage to Napoleon, her reluctant divorce and early death at her chateau, Malmaison, at the age of 50, DeLorme provides an attractive and largely convincing portrait of a woman whose grace, dignity and exquisite taste in decoration helped legitimize her upstart Corsican husband as one who could claim the empire for reasons not confined solely to his military triumphs. In DeLorme's view, the marriage between Napoleon and Josephine remains one of the great romances of history, only lightly marred by Napoleon's extramarital amours and his divorce and remarriage to the Archduchess Marie-Louise for dynastic reasons. In a year marked by revisionist views of Napoleon (Paul Johnson's entry in the Penguin Lives series and Christopher Hibbert's forthcoming Napoleon: His Wives and Women, reviewed above), this sumptuously illustrated and charming volume will bring comfort to readers still under the spell of the magnetic emperor and his glittering wife.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

The romance between Joséphine de Beauharnais and Napoléon Bonaparte is one of the most dramatic in history, but the crucial role this beautiful, intelligent woman played in their partnership has never before been completely acknowledged. In this spirited biography, rich in detail and anecdote, Eleanor DeLorme brings the exotic empress to life, revealing how greatly Napoléon confided in "his incomparable Joséphine" and depended on her sense of style to set the tone of his empire. An important patron of the arts, Joséphine collected works of the highest quality, and her exquisite and extravagant taste was admired and adopted all over the Empire. Along with portraits of the empress, her family, and numerous dignitaries, this elegant book contains many period images of significant events in Joséphine's life. Based on a close study of the couple's letters, the memoirs of Joséphine's two children, and other primary sources, DeLorme's delightful text describes all the amazing facets of this fascinating figure.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 248 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams; First Edition edition (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810912295
• ISBN-13: 978-0810912298
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #860,061 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A well balanced account of the life of Napoleons emblematic Empress., October 17, 2008

By	JB "MeanCreek" - See all my reviews

I enjoyed reading this book, which, though a bit brief, gives a full account of the importance of Josephine de Beauharnais during the Revolution and the Empire.

She was a clever, pragmatic woman who never lost track of the main goal in her life: the welfare and security of her children. She managed to survive the Revolution and two bad marriages with great grace and style. Her beauty and charm became legendary, but she wasn't a frivolous monarch: She is perhaps one of the first female biologists.

This is a great book to get an idea of what Josephine's life was like. Yet, I was somewhat disappointed since, aside some color illustrations, most of the pictures in the book are black and white. More color would've been appreciated...

14 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New Insight to this Historical Figure, January 15, 2003

By	A Bookaholic "a1chick" (Clinton, NJ United States) - See all my reviews

This was a Christmas gift from my in-laws and a real treasure that is hard to put down.

Despite Delorme love affair with the French she is surprisingly honest in this biography of Josephine. There are many interesting insights into this strong female figure, both politically and personally. For instance she is quite a bit like Abigail Adams in that both women were true partners to their spouses political positions and worked deligently on their behalf. Josephine was also a single mother for sometime and realised to late in life that Napolean was the love of her life.

All in all, this is a comfortable read and a great gift idea.

6 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Read also "The Emperor's Lady" by F.W. Kenyon, June 8, 2003

By	"kitkatk_11" (Wellesley, MA) - See all my reviews

My fascination with the Empress Josephine began with "The Emperor's Lady" by F.W. Kenyon. It was published in 1952. Mrs. DeLorme's book sounds like a good complement to this book, with its indepth commentary on Josephine's impact on art, fashion, and her insights into Josephine as a contributing partner to Napoleon's career. If you like historical fiction, you will also enjoy "The Emperor's Lady".