Catherine de Medici

Renaissance Queen of France

De: Leonie Frieda

Narrado por: Sarah Le Fevre

Duración: 21 h y 36 m

Resumen del Editor

Poisoner, despot, necromancer - the dark legend of Catherine de Medici is centuries old. In this critically hailed biography, Leonie Frieda reclaims the story of this unjustly maligned queen to reveal a skilled ruler battling extraordinary political and personal odds - from a troubled childhood in Florence to her marriage to Henry, son of King Francis I of France; from her transformation of French culture to her fight to protect her throne and her sons' birthright. Based on thousands of private letters, it is a remarkable account of one of the most influential women ever to wear a crown.

©2018 Leonie Frieda (P)2018 Orion Publishing Group

I wish MY mother had read this book!!

Other than the monotone narration, I would however stay for the conclusion of a revelatory testament of one of histories most intriguing sovereigns, Catherine DeMedici.

Informative but less engaging personal account

Good narrator and informative account of a political nature. However, less engaging personal account. Worth the time. I'll pursue other biographies about Catherine de Medici for a more well rounded picture of her.

Catherine is a badass

Great details; Catherine is one of the most under rated historical figures. Henry was a idiot for choosing Diane. Boo Henry boo!

A good listen

I liked it. It was informative and detailed but not to the point of being too wordy. This is the first book about Catherine de Medici that I’ve listened to, so I can’t say for sure, but I felt it gave a balanced look into her life.
The narrator was pleasant, her speed and pronunciation clear and easy to listen to.

Great story but marred by mispronunciations

The narrator’s French is Impeccable but I found her English mispronunciations distracting beginning with the name De Medici. The accent is on Med not di. Another example was the word “adhere” which she kept reading as adeer. Silent h I guess.

Superb!

A rare biography of depth and warmth. This book brings so many interesting people to brilliant life. The narrator occasionally mispronounces some French, but charmingly. Otherwise the delivery is flawless. Animated without attitude. LOVE THIS BOOK.

A dark figure in a dark period of France

I must credit the the #starz series #theserpentqueen for finally prompting me to study this fascinating women who played a pivotal role in #french monarchical politics at such a critical time in #european history. This comprehensive biography of #catherinedemedici by #leoniefrieda served as the basis of the series. I must commend this and some of the other premium cable channels for having both the courage and foresight to create such fascinating historical dramas that gives comfort to at least this history geek who realizes more people are actually interested in this, the era of exploration and expansion that serves as the real backdrop for humanity's #gameofthrones .

Born into a powerful merchant family of #florence #italy and the niece of #popeclementvii she was married, to #henrydukeoforleans, the second son of #kingfrancisi of #france , not only would Henry eventually become #kinghenryi but, three of her sons would eventually assume the throne with her as regent and #queenmother , exercising amazing power and playing a major role in France's #warsofreligion between the dominant #catholics and rising Protestant #huguenots whose bloody contest for power would be one of the driving forces of the #frenchrevolution .

Catherine de Medici is a very detailed history but her imprint as the model of the evil queen of many of the fairy tales we've all grown up with is revealed through both factual events and speculation owing to her #italian roots and #machiavellian machinations to obtain and keep power and control of the French Crown. it is a fascinating book that filled in many holes in my studies of European monarchies.
#readtheworld #readtheworldchallenge #globalreadingchallenge #frenchhistory

Excellent

Frieda’s book, as a comprehensive (and here well-narrated) biography of this legendary queen, brings to life the brutal politics swirling behind (and within) the religious, cultural, artistic and intellectual movements of the European Renaissance. Despite her personal shortcomings, many of which she overcame by sheer force of will, Catherine de Medici’s hand in shaping the course of European history is undeniable. I am now finding the reading of the book, with its many portraits, sketches, genealogical charts, and relevant maps, helpful in recollecting the key historical events and related people mentioned in this spellbinding story.

Something wrong with audio

Something is wrong with the audio of the audio boo. It constantly slips and cuts out.

Fascinating and detailed story

Absolutely fascinating and unique perspective on the life and influence of Catherine de Medici. Though the pronunciation of the French words was often hard to hear… 😁