Louis XII [Paperback]

Prof. Frederic J. Baumgartner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 1996

The reign of Louis XII (1498-1515) has been much neglected by historians. Bernard Chevalier has recently described it as belonging to a "no man's land where neither the medievalists nor the modernists dare to penetrate." Overshadowed by the spectacular rule of his successor Francis I, Louis XII has been oddly passed over. While not in the front rank of French monarchs, Louis XII, "The Father of the People, " remains an interesting and appealing figure. The events of his reign were highly significant to the future of the French state: from the unremittingly brutal Italian campaigns to Henry VIII's invasion, from Louis's disputes with the Papacy to his marriages' political complications. France's church, legal system, and cultural life (most markedly the introduction of the Renaissance) were all subject to significant change, and many of the achievements commonly associated with Francis I were in fact rooted in those of his predecessor. This is a lucid and highly readable account of a fascinating period in French history and is essential to a clear understanding of sixteenth-century France.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

King of France from 1498 to 1515, Louis XII is portrayed in the Cloisters' Unicorn Tapestries with Anne of Brittany. Baumgartner, in the first English biography of Louis, omits this fact, but his account of their marriage (the second for each) makes very interesting reading, as does Louis's early life and reign generally. Responsible for justice, prosperity, and tranquillity in France, for invasions of Italy, and for the Renaissance transformation of the Chateau de Blois, this king, called "Father of the People," has been neglected by historians. Baumgartner (history, Virginia Polytechnic & State Univ., and the author of Henry II, Duke Univ. Pr., 1988) gives a strong case for Louis in this work. Recommended for all French history collections.
R. James Tobin, Univ. of Wisconsin Lib., Milwaukee
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

FREDERIC J. BAUMGARTNER is Professor of History at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia

Product Details

• Paperback: 319 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan (May 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312161735
• ISBN-13: 978-0312161736
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,332,782 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars AN UNLIKELY POPULAR HERO, August 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Louis XII (Paperback)

The author has written a lucid and interesting account of this French king, "The Father of His People." This book bridges a gap in the history of French monarchs, and thoroughly covers the early modern era. Perhaps the author has been kinder to Louis XII than he deserved; this king's repeated aggression in Italy brought France to the brink of disaster. His discussion of French government is excellent, and cleared up several questions for me. It has helped me understand other writings on the history of France greatly. My only criticisms are minor and technical: first, the typeface was hard on the eyes, and this is a densely written book. Second, I think that historical biographers have an absolute duty to their readers to include genealogical tables, complete with all pertinent dates. In short, I recommend this book; I learned a great deal from it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brian Wayne Wells, Esquire, reviews "Louis XII.", May 1, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Louis XII (Paperback)

King Louis XII (reigned 1498-1515) came to the
throne of France after Charles VIII's (1483-1498)famous invasion of Italy.
That invasion in 1494 went off splendedly with
sucess mounted on top of sucess.

However, the first French invasion of France would
have dire results for the French nation. Italy
would become a military quadmire from which France
would have difficulty extricating itself over the
period of the next 100 years. The first
implications of France's involvement would become
evident during the reign of Louis XII when he
became involved in a series of wars with the
"military pope" Julius II. (The part of Julius II
was played by Rex Harrison in the 1965 movie
biography of Michelangelo called "Agony and
Ecstasy.")

Frederic Baumgartner's written biography of
Louis XII is a very thorough and well documented
coverage of the life of one on the lesser-known
but more important of the French kings. It is a
worthy addition to any French historical library.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Many Choices, September 9, 2006

By 

J. Paige "paige me" (Houston, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Louis XII (Hardcover)

Baumgartner is definitely an historian - not a writer! Choices are limited for information on this monarch in English, so the reader takes what is available. Unevenly written, fairly well organized, reasonably interesting but the writing was choppy and the book poorly edited.