Louis XVI, Marie-Antoinette, and the French Revolution (Rulers and Their Times) [Library Binding]

Nancy Plain (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grades 5-8--This attractive book presents biographies of the famous monarchs; a discussion of the French Revolution, including everyday life; and writings from people of the era. The print is clear and readable, and there are many color reproductions and illustrations. Unfortunately, Plain's effort fails in the end because she tries to do too much. All three topics are slighted, and the material conveyed is superficial, barely skimming the surface and omitting much. The book is poorly organized, jumping from one subject to another and back again, and there are several errors. (Just one example: the dauphine is the dauphin's wife, not the female next in line to become queen as the glossary states.) Nothing is available for this age group solely on Louis and Marie-Antoinette. Adrian Gilbert's The French Revolution (Thomson, 1995) is thorough and detailed, and includes time lines, maps, and many visuals. Older readers can use Susan Banfield's skillfully written The Rights of Man, the Reign of Terror (HarperCollins, 1990), which creates word pictures of Louis and Marie-Antoinette that, in a few paragraphs, reveal more than Plain does in several chapters.
Ann W. Moore, Schenectady County Public Library, NY
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Recommended." -- Booklist, January 1 & 15, 2002

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Library Binding: 80 pages
• Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Children's Books (January 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761410295
• ISBN-13: 978-0761410294
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,660,191 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #53 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( A ) > Antoinette, Marie

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended, July 14, 2003

By 

Gautier Maron (Pennsylvania USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Louis XVI, Marie-Antoinette, and the French Revolution (Rulers and Their Times) (Library Binding)

This book won a Children's Book Council award--"Notable Social Studies Trade Book for 2003." It is a "must-read" for teens who are interested in a fascinating period in European history. As a French history professor for over twenty-eight years, I found it to be impeccably researched, with many primary sources; elegantly written, and quite insightful. I particularly enjoyed the way the author sheds light on the thoughts and feelings of the book's most important characters by using salient contempoary quotes. (Here is Marie Antoinette reacting to the vicious rumors about her circulated by her enemies: "Why should they hate me? What have I ever done to them?" Here is a courtier's criticism of Louis XVI's appearance: "He looked like some peasant shambling along beside his plough.") Illustrated throughout with beautiful period paintings, Plain's book is a skillful combination of biography and history. The author does a superb job of presenting a complex era in a lucid manner. She maintains an evenhanded approach throughout, explaining objectively the views of both monarchists and revolutionaries. I recommend this book highly as an excellent introduction to 18th century France.