Francis I

The Maker of Modern France

By: Leonie Frieda

Narrated by: Carole Boyd

The bestselling author of Catherine de Medici returns to sixteenth-century Europe in this evocative and entertaining biography that recreates a remarkable era of French history and brings to life a great monarch—Francis I—who turned France into a great nation.

Catherine de Medici’s father-in-law, King Francis of France, was the perfect Renaissance knight, the movement’s exemplar and its Gallic interpreter. An aesthete, diplomat par excellence, and contemporary of Machiavelli, Francis was the founder of modern France, whose sheer force of will and personality molded his kingdom into the first European superpower. Arguably the man who introduced the Renaissance to France, Francis was also the prototype Frenchman—a national identity was modeled on his character. So great was his stamp, that few countries even now are quite so robustly patriotic as is France. Yet as Leonie Frieda reveals, Francis did not always live up to his ideal; a man of grand passions and vision, he was also a flawed husband, father, lover, and king.

With access to private archives that have never been used in a study of Francis I, Frieda explores the life of a man who was the most human of the monarchs of the period—and yet, remains the most elusive.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

Entertaining

Very enjoyable, although occasionally too many names and titles without adequate detail or context. Pronounciation of "landsknecht" totally wrong and irritating.

fascinating and fast paced

I thoroughly enjoyed this look at Frane's Renaissance King and in many ways foolish knight, Francis I.
This is really an extremely interesting period in European History, frightening as it devolves into colonial theft and chattel slavery but interesting none the less.
So many colorful characters: Charles V of Spain & Hapsurg Austria/Netherlands+, Suleman the Magnificent of the Ottoman Empire, Henry VIII of England and of course the multiple Popes during this time period.

Rekindling salamandrine fires...

Leonie Frieda was responsible for reawakening my interested in Valois history through her biography of Catherine de Medici. In this biography of Catherine's father-in-law, she brings to life an all but forgotten king.

Frieda's research and erudition are impressive, but her writing is always lively and intriguing, never dull. There is so little available in English about the Valois monarchs, apart from the dreck that passes for historical fiction and is propogated through the preposterous miniseries adapted therefrom! If you're really interested in the times of the Valois, read both of Frieda's excellent books instead.

Frieda makes the time period come to life, as she did with Catherine, and illustrates just how complicated, contradictory, and sometimes exasperating, François was. Many of his decisions are no less than baffling, while others are brilliant. Coddled by his mother, Louise of Savoy, he would also be led by other women in his life, sometimes disastrously so. Both a biography and a portrait of France, the book illuminates a France unfamiliar to many. Truly his reign set the foundation for French modernity in countless ways.

May you enjoy it as much as I did.

Very informative, interesting and easy to follow

I really like this biography. It gives little side note of information along the way without getting off track and doesn't get boring. The book also doesn't get bogged down with too many unnecessary details, as can sometimes be the case.

Questionably researched

The reading overall is quite pleasant. The writing is less so. Coming to this from a Charles V biography exposes a fundamental lack of research and attention to detail by the author, as well as a tendency to take historical (questionable) sources at face value.