Louis XIV

by Anthony Levi

A nation exceedingly rich and extraordinarily powerful, its arts unparalleled in elegance and excellence, France in the seventeenth century mirrored the monarch who ruled it: Louis XIV, heritor not only to the throne of his country but also, supposedly, to the powers of the mythological sun god Apollo. Known as le roi soleil—the sun king—and vested with unprecedented power and privilege, for fifty years Louis epitomized the glory that was France. On the dark underside of the monarchy's grand, gilded looking glass, however, lurked peasant starvation, financial bankruptcy, military defeat, and the deaths of thousands—all of which would plague the conscience of the king. It is in the struggle of the lofty sun king, who at least half-believed in his quasi divinity, to reconcile his extravagant persona with the shortcomings, flaws, miscalculations, and failures of an ordinary mortal that the fascination of this new, intricate, and controversial illustrated biography lies. Indeed, at the heart of Anthony Levi's probing study brews the conflict between Louis XIV's regal infallibility and his human, often tragic and far-reaching errors. Out of it emerges a complex personal portrait of one of the most politically effective monarchs ever to reign in Europe.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, France

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Susan Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remarkable era! Remarkable accomplishment in the design and building of Versailles. What a treasure of a palace this king contributed to human history. Just wish I could visit it and see it's unbelievable beauty. Thank you Louis the XIV, and thank you author Anthony Levi for broadening my knowledge of the 17th century.

[Mackay · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Actually, just reread this - don't know why I didn't review it the first time in 2004. For the subject, an admirably concise biography that successfully details times, the cultures, and the characters. Mr. Levi's stated goal is to fill in the person behind the historical figure, but I'm not sure he entirely succeeds, nor that the goal is even possible, given Louis le Grand's penchant for destroying important papers. The book remains a worthwhile and engrossing attempt. (It could have been, should have been, more lavishly illustrated!)

[Karen E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very detailed biography of Louis XIV. Another author cites it as the "definitive biography." I don't know very much about this period of history and find the amount of detail somewhat overwhelming. The author's sentence construction tends to be convoluted, sometimes making it hard to understand what he is saying on the first read-through. I think it could have benefitted from some editing.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anthony Levi obviously did an enormous amount of research for this book. However, the book is not merely an academic read. Mr. Levi brings the Sun King to life and shines a bright light on the good, the bad and the truly dreadful aspects of this very complicated King. I would recommend this to anyone who not only enjoys History, but simply a good read.

[Renee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting background, but it was a little difficult to follow as it was not chronological, rather by subject. Would have liked more in depth analysis of his personality as it was alluded to, but not explored.