The Prince of Europe: The Life of Charles-Joseph De Ligne 1735-1814 - Hardcover

Mansel, Philip

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1842127314 ISBN 13: 9781842127315

Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson Ltd, 2003

Synopsis

A member of one of Europe's best-connected families, Prince Charles-Joseph de Ligne (from Beloeile in the Holy Roman Empire) was a grand aristocrat, a talented general, a provocative writer, and a great lover of gardens. This volume contains a biography of this remarkable and ambitious man as well as the text (in French) of 25 of his letters. The author of several books on European history, Mansel is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. Distributed by Trafalgar Square Publishing. Annotation (c) Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

About this title

About the Author:

Philip Mansel, who has lived and taught in Paris, is one of Britain's leading historians. His book CONSTANTINOPLE was described by William Dalrymple as 'An impeccably researched masterpiece of exquisite historical writing.' He currently lives in London.

Review:

We have set a press date of 27 March and finished copies have now gone out. Early news is that the Franco-British Society are keen to organise a joint event with the Franco-Belgian Society - ideal for this biography of this key truly European figure. Philip has also done an event with the Austrian CulturalForum and the Austrian Ambassador on 27 May when he was in conversation withour own Giles MacDonogh. Philip has also done a very successful literary lunch at Hartwell House on 14 May. We are also expecting widespread review coverage - the first excellent one is in the current issue LITERARY REVIEW and last weeks SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY TIMES, MAIL ON SUNDAY and DAILY TELEGRAPH. Other reviews include the THES, INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY, BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE, TIMES, SPECTATOR. Philip has also written an article for the DAILY TELEGRAPH, a large feature for their Gardens section on the Chateau where the Prince lives, it's the Belgian Versailles. The Prince was a keen gardener and believed that it was good for the soul. This was be accompanied by original photos notfeatured in the book and came out on the 3 May. 'By any standards, Ligne's was an exceptional life, and Mansel recounts it with impressive scholarship and elegance of style, and, most significantly, displays an obvious rapport with his subject.'John Adamson, THE LITERARY REVIEW "This is a story overflowingwith memorable incidents and characters, told with delicacy and great skill;into its fabric, much of the complex dynastic and diplomatic history of late18th-century Europe has been effortlessly woven."Noel Malcolm, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH "A superbly funny, colourful and debauched journey through the palaces and bedrooms, taverns and battlefields of emperors, charlatans, philosophers and prostitutes with the wittiest and naughtiest charmer in Europe."Simon SebagMontefiore, SUNDAY TIMES "How I wish I had known the Prince de Ligne! A fascinating biography." ANTONIA FRASER, MAIL ON SUNDAY "Mansel presents the fruits of his massive labors with delicate care and the book is written in readable, anecdotal, explanatory prose."INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY "The sparkling biography of the French aristocrat who was known across Europe." HISTORY TODAY Don'tforget we are actively working to promote not only this title but also his ne

About this edition

• Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson Ltd
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 1842127314
• ISBN 13: 9781842127315
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 384