Philip V of Spain: The King Who Reigned Twice

Interesting biography of a very French prince (grandson of Louis XIV) who ruled as the first Bourbon King of Spain in the first half of the 18th century. Philip was earnest and hard-working and took the interests of his new dominion to heart, but in his adulthood he was plagued with a severe mental illness which the author Kamen believes (credibly) to have been bi-polar disorder. As a result of his often debilitating episodes, the King's efforts to steer Spain toward a financially sound future were significantly hindered. (The personal was the political, even in the 18th century.)

To help him through his often paralyzing mood swings, Philip V relied to an exceptional degree upon his consort Queens, who exerted political power to an show more unusual degree: his first wife the remarkable Marie Louise of Savoy, the second the equally indomitable Elizabeth Farnese. Because they were foreign, intelligent, and politically savvy, the Queens were the subject of considerable opposition and scurrilous rumor-mongering. Kamen admirably humanizes the royal subjects of his study, and strengthens the book with a deep knowledge of the primary economic and literary sources for the era. show less

Interesante biografía de Felipe V y análisis de las causas y desarrollo de la guerra de sucesión.