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Josephine: A Life of the Empress Audiobook
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(3.09) - 329 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
When, in 1804, Josephine Bonaparte knelt before her husband Napoleon to receive the imperial diadem, few in the vast crowd of onlookers were aware of the dark secrets hidden behind the imperial façade. To her subjects, she appeared to be the most favored woman in France: alluring, wealthy, and with the devoted love of a remarkable husband who was the conqueror of Europe. In actuality, Josephine's life was far darker: her celebrated allure was fading, her wealth was compromised by massive debt, and her marriage was corroded by infidelity and abuse.
Josephine's life story was as turbulent as the age—an era of revolution and social upheaval, frenzied hedonism and the guillotine. With telling psychological depth and compelling literary grace, Carolly Erickson brings the complex, charming, ever-resilient Josephine to life, carrying us along every twist and turn of the empress' often thorny path,from the sensual richness of her childhood in the tropics to her final lonely days at Malmaison.
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"I knew little about Josephine before this book, and chapter after chapter I was just amazed at what a remarkable life she lived. Her story comes across almost like a novel; I guess I would call it “empathetic history“, in the sense that the author, while sticking to what is known from the historical record, does try to surmise what Josephine must’ve been feeling at certain points in her life.. There is plenty of color and detail to bring the era alive, and the often convoluted politics of the time are related as background in a way that’s easy to follow. The relationship between Napoleon and Josephine has been glamorized by Hollywood and elsewhere, but it was much more complicated and difficult than most readers will probably expect. Every time I put this on to listen to, I went one or two chapters further than intended. A gripping story, well told."
— Sentient Being (5 out of 5 stars)
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“An intimate, richly detailed, and candid portrait.”
— Kirkus Reviews -
“Carolly Erickson tells [this story] with all the flair it deserves...Exquisite writing.”
— Houston Chronicle -
“The focus is always on Josephine, whose psychology is discussed at length. Erickson succeeds in making her subject an attractive figure, if hardly an exemplar of moral rectitude.”
— Amazon.com editorial review
Josephine Listener Reviews
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" An intersting biography of Empress Josephine, Napoleon's consort, that focuses on her personal life rather than on French history. Lush descriptions of her wardrobe, entertainments, homes, food and parties, and Josephine's continuing promiscuity even after their marriage make this an entertaining popular biography rather than a work of scholarly research. "
— Nancy, 1/31/2014 -
" I cried... not kidding. "
— Marco, 1/28/2014 -
" Very good biography; not too heavy, but enough detail. "
— Jennifer, 1/26/2014 -
" Great. Love the historical context, well written, organized. Just great. "
— Angie, 1/18/2014 -
" Just got to say that I couldn't have been married to Napoleon Bonaparte "
— Jamie, 1/13/2014 -
" I read this after returning from Paris in September. I wanted to learn more about Napolean's wife -- knowing what a "colorful" character he was. I enjoyed the way the author told her story. "
— Laurel, 1/2/2014 -
" Really enjoyed this piece. Erickson has the gift of writing about the subject in such a way that it not only tells the story accurately but very dramatically. Looking forward to more form her. "
— Ericubear72, 12/13/2013 -
" Erickson give a lot of information but uses story form which is fun to read. "
— Ron, 12/2/2013 -
" Fascinating story! If someone was to write Rose's life as fiction, no one would find it the least bit believable. "
— Kecia, 11/28/2013 -
" Interesting, well written. I personally had trouble empathizing with Josephine but that wasn't because the book was well written. A good overview of her life and a good read for anyone curious about Josephine Bonaparte. "
— Amanda, 11/25/2013 -
" I retain so much more of history lessons when the writer makes an effort to turn it into a narrative. Erickson did a great job with this, and exposes Josephine's low birth and Napoleon's obsession with dynasty. Entertaining and informative. "
— Lindsay, 9/21/2013 -
" Pretty interesting. Well put together for someone with no previous knowledge of her. "
— Lindsey, 8/12/2013 -
" I was pleasantly surprised by this biography, which shows the dark world in which Empress Josephine found herself having to navigate, and illuminates the 17th/18th century European use of arranged marriage to promote family wealth and social position. Well written and engaging. "
— Sabrina, 4/26/2013 -
" I think the author assumes too much. Her historical research here is questionable, but the book was readable nonetheless. "
— Nadine, 12/29/2012 -
" Alluring, wealthy, and married to the conqueror of Europe, Josephine appeared in 1804 as the most favored woman in France; but her actual life was far darker. Erickson brings the complex, charming, ever resilient Josephine to life. "
— Eddy, 7/27/2012 -
" Almost a fantastic Fiction is the Life of Josephine. "
— Russamun82, 7/14/2012 -
" Just to follow up on the historical fiction I read a biography on Josephine also...another good read. "
— Kelly, 6/21/2012 -
" Josephine was not the person I expected. She was a quiet, modest person placed in extraordinary circumstances, and she evolved to be someone else. She was a survivor--but she gave up a lot of herself in the process. An interesting and thought provoking read. "
— Beth, 5/31/2012 -
" Masterfully researched; vivid as a novel. "
— C.M., 5/28/2012 -
" I don't think her life was the most interesting, but I enjoyed reading about the time period and learn more about the history. "
— Melodi, 5/17/2012 -
" A very enjoyable bio of a complex and remarkable woman in her own right. I learned a lot about 18th/19th century life in France. Listened to the audiobook. "
— Monna, 1/17/2012 -
" Amusing, light read. "
— Jostalady, 12/6/2011 -
" So I haven't really finished this...not sure if I will. Not my kind of story...very well written though. "
— Andrea, 12/1/2011 -
" Just got to say that I couldn't have been married to Napoleon Bonaparte "
— Jamie, 3/4/2011 -
" Masterfully researched; vivid as a novel. <br/> "
— C.M., 3/1/2011 -
" I read this after returning from Paris in September. I wanted to learn more about Napolean's wife -- knowing what a "colorful" character he was. I enjoyed the way the author told her story. "
— Laurel, 12/28/2010 -
" Very good biography; not too heavy, but enough detail. "
— Jennifer, 7/12/2009 -
" Just to follow up on the historical fiction I read a biography on Josephine also...another good read. "
— Kelly, 3/23/2009 -
" Really enjoyed this piece. Erickson has the gift of writing about the subject in such a way that it not only tells the story accurately but very dramatically. Looking forward to more form her. "
— Ericubear72, 11/4/2008 -
" I'm reading this again--I read it in high school. An interesting biography of the much-maligned Empress Josephine, Napoleon's first wife. "
— Sarah, 7/8/2008 -
" Pretty interesting. Well put together for someone with no previous knowledge of her. "
— Lindsey, 6/26/2008 -
" Erickson give a lot of information but uses story form which is fun to read. "
— Ron, 4/18/2008 -
" I don't think her life was the most interesting, but I enjoyed reading about the time period and learn more about the history. "
— Melodi, 3/29/2008 -
" So I haven't really finished this...not sure if I will. Not my kind of story...very well written though. "
— Andrea, 3/12/2008
About Carolly Erickson
Carolly Erickson is the bestselling author of many distinguished works of nonfiction and a series of historical entertainments, blending fact and invention. Her historical biographies include The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette, The First Elizabeth, Her Little Majesty, and Alexandra. She lives in Hawaii.
About Anna Fields
Kate Fleming (a.k.a. Anna Fields) (1965–2006), winner of more than a dozen Earphones Awards and the prestigious Audie Award in 2004, was one of the most respected narrators in the industry. Trained at the Actors Theatre of Louisville, she was also a director, producer, and technician at her own studio, Cedar House Audio.