What is it about these early 20th century women? These British women writers in particular? There's something about their assurance, their ability to opine and pronounce and tell a tale with such utter confidence and pull it off without the slightest self-consciousness.

But this biography reveals two women, not one, and it is a picture of two times and two mindsets, and the primary one is not the one that takes place in the 18th century. It is of course helpful that her subject is fascinating in her own right, and her cast of supporting characters were leading men and ladies in many other stories and indeed can't help but steal the spotlight from time to time (if the Duc de Richelieu is playing sidekick #2, you've got a damn good thing going is all I'm saying). I absolutely adored this book from start to finish, and Nancy Mitford's narrative charm is the reason entire. If you guys read those paragraphs and aren't smiling or shaking your head or clapping your hands or some other expression of delight, then perhaps this book isn't for you, but I'm doing all of those things and LOVING IT. de Richelieu's heads, he had cut off just one, the history of France might have been different indeed.' If, when the Regent had enough proof to cut off four of M. '.The case of the Duc de Richelieu illustrates the fact that once a man has been convicted of treachery, he is better dead the traitor will always betray.

If ever a house radiated cheerfulness, that house is Versailles no other building in the world is such a felicitious combination of palace and country house.' of perpetual youth, of happy days out of doors and happy evenings chatting and gambling in the great wonderful palace. do not suggest that it often got the upper hand on the contrary they speak on and all, of a life without worries and without remorse. But the memoirs of the day and the accounts of the courtiers who lived through the Revolution. No doubt a life devoted to pleasure must sometimes show the reverse side of the medal and it is quite true that boredom was the enemy, to be vanquished by fair means or foul. 'Nineteenth century historians, shocked by the contemplation of such a merry, pointless life, have been at great pains to emphasize the boredom from which, they say, the whole Court and the King suffered.

Madame de Pompadour by Nancy Mitford