Catherine de Medici Renaissance Queen of France [Paperback]

Poisoner, despot, necromancer -- the dark legend of Catherine de Medici is centuries old. In this critically hailed biography, Leonie Frieda reclaims the story of this unjustly maligned queen to reveal a skilled ruler battling extraordinary political and personal odds -- from a troubled childhood in Florence to her marriage to Henry, son of King Francis I of France; from her transformation of French culture to her fight to protect her throne and her sons' birthright. Based on thousands of private letters, it is a remarkable account of one of the most influential women ever to wear a crown.

A carefully nuanced portrait&[Leonie Frieda] achieves remarkable balance as she freshly interprets Catherine&a revealing biography.Riveting and dramatic . . . there is no mistaking the abiding pleasure of this book.Vivid and entertaining...a convincing human portrait against the backdrop of a brutal age.