Jean-Vincent Blanchard

Thanks to Goodreads and the publisher for a free copy of At the Edge of the World! I think the highest praise that I can give this book is that it took something I didn't know much about -- something I didn't realize I would be interested in -- and made it fascinating through the writing style and rich historical detail.

An impressive history of an interesting and mysterious man.

Most impressions of Richelieu are from Dumas and The Three Musketeers - a powerful, conniving, 'grey eminence' who was more powerful than the King of France. Dumas had plenty to work with - Richelieu was a colorful figure who restored a centralized French government, fought wars and allied with Protestant nations in equal turns, and paved the way for the raw power of Louis XIV - a shewd political animal, indeed.

This biography gives a show more strong impression of him, both from anecdotes and broad political movements. He was a patron of his religion and the arts, but was not above having enemies beheaded.

Very helpful notes and a chronology and list of characters in the back. A good resource to those who have an amateur interest and scholars of French history alike. show less

My Amazon review -

http://www.amazon.com/review/REZLJDXP6W97O/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm