Memoirs of Louis XIV and the Regency

De: Louis de Rouvroy Duc de Saint-Simon, Bayle St. John - translator

Narrado por: Grover Gardner

Duc de Louis de Rouvroy Saint-Simon (1675-1755) was a French soldier, diplomat, and noted diarist. A French courtier during the 18th century, today he's best known for his comprehensive multi-volume memoirs, which depict life in France at the time. He was an indefatigable writer, and he began very early to record all the gossip he collected, all his interminable legal disputes over precedence, and a vast mass of unclassified material. He is petty, unjust to private enemies and to those who espoused public views contrary to his, as well as being an incessant gossip. Yet he shows a great skill for narrative and for character-drawing; he has been compared to Tacitus, and to historians such as Livy.

He had a profound influence on writers like Tolstoy, Barbey d' Aurevilly, Flaubert, Valle-Inclán, Proust, Mujica Láinez, and many others.

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A bit long but worth it.

This is a fascinating account of the place and time. The author captures the nature of the people well.

Undoubtedly one of the very best

The classic insider's view of the court of Louis XIV and the Regency. Very highest recommendation!

Dense but a great book if you are familiar with France during this time

Loved it. I question some of the translation though. It inspired me to find a full copy of the series to read in the original French.