The Secret Life of Josephine: Napoleon's Bird of Paradise

Born on the Caribbean island of Martinique, Josephine had exotic Creole appeal that would ultimately propel her to reign over an empire as wife of the most powerful man in the world. Married young to an arrogant French aristocrat who died during the Terror, Josephine also narrowly missed losing her head to the guillotine. But her extraordinary charm, sensuality and natural cunning helped her become mistress to some of the most powerful politicians in post-Revolutionary France. Soon she married the much younger General Bonaparte whose armies garnered France, an empire that ran from Europe to Africa and the New World, and who crowned himself and his wife Emperor and Empress of France. He dominated on the battlefield and she presided over the worlds of fashion and glamour. But Josephine's heart belonged to another man-the mysterious, compelling stranger who had won her as a girl in Martinique. Determined to conquer the world, the ruthless Bonaparte divorced Josephine and married an Austrian archduchess who gave him the son he craved. Yet Josephine, believing herself fated to bring about his downfall, followed him to Russia on his last great campaign and, through her enduring influence on him, helped to destroy his ambitions-and to create her own romantic fulfilment with the man she truly loved. "The Secret Life of Josephine" tells Josephine's remarkable story in her own words.

About the Author :
Carolly Erickson is the bestselling author of many distinguished works of nonfiction and a series of historical entertainments, blending fact and invention. She lives in Hawaii.

Review :
PRAISE FOR "The Last Wife Of Henry VIII" "Entertaining."--"USA"" Today" "[Erickson] offers a good view of the intrigue and scheming in the court of Henry VIII. Descriptions of court and country life are well done and enrich the story."--"Library Journal" AND FOR "The Hidden Diary Of Marie Antoinette" "Writers of historical fiction must tread a fine line between loving one's protagonists while telling the truth about them. Carolly Erickson has executed this balancing act with the same scorching wit and greatheartedness that has always illuminated her biographies. The old 'let them eat cake' myth has once and forever been exploded, yet the author resists the temptation to sentimentalize or simplify the maddeningly complex character of Marie Antoinette."--Robin Maxwell, author of "The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn" and "To the Tower Born" "" "Carolly Erickson turns cold fact to hot fiction in her first historical novel."--India Edghill, author of "Queenmaker" and "Wisdom's Daughter" "A fascinating first novel . . . This intimate look at a misunderstood woman by the author of a biography on the same subject is highly recommended."--"Library Journal" (starred review) PRAISE FOR "The Last Wife Of Henry VIII" "Entertaining."--"USA"" Today" "[Erickson] offers a good view of the intrigue and scheming in the court of Henry VIII. Descriptions of court and country life are well done and enrich the story."--"Library Journal" AND FOR "The Hidden Diary Of Marie Antoinette" "Writers of historical fiction must tread a fine line between loving one's protagonists while telling the truth about them. Carolly Erickson has executed this balancing act with the same scorching wit and greatheartedness that has always illuminated her biographies. The old 'let them eat cake' myth has once and forever been exploded, yet the author resists the temptation to sentimentalize or simplify the maddeningly complex character of Marie Antoinette."--Robin Maxwell, author of "The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn" and "To the Tower Born" "" "Carolly Erickson turns cold fact to hot fiction in her first historical novel."--India Edghill, author of "Queenm PRAISE FOR "The Last Wife Of Henry VIII"   "Entertaining."--"USA"" Today"   "[Erickson] offers a good view of the intrigue and scheming in the court of Henry VIII. Descriptions of court and country life are well done and enrich the story."--"Library Journal"   AND FOR "The Hidden Diary Of Marie Antoinette"   "Writers of historical fiction must tread a fine line between loving one's protagonists while telling the truth about them. Carolly Erickson has executed this balancing act with the same scorching wit and greatheartedness that has always illuminated her biographies. The old 'let them eat cake' myth has once and forever been exploded, yet the author resists the temptation to sentimentalize or simplify the maddeningly complex character of Marie Antoinette.”--Robin Maxwell, author of "The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn" and "To the Tower Born" ""  “Carolly Erickson turns cold fact to hot fiction in her first historical nov PRAISE FOR"The Last Wife Of Henry VIII" "Entertaining."--"USA"" Today" "[Erickson] offers a good view of the intrigue and scheming in the court of Henry VIII. Descriptions of court and country life are well done and enrich the story."--"Library Journal" AND FOR "The Hidden Diary Of Marie Antoinette" "Writers of historical fiction must tread a fine line between loving one's protagonists while telling the truth about them. Carolly Erickson has executed this balancing act with the same scorching wit and greatheartedness that has always illuminated her biographies. The old 'let them eat cake' myth has once and forever been exploded, yet the author resists the temptation to sentimentalize or simplify the maddeningly complex character of Marie Antoinette."--Robin Maxwell, author of "The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn" and "To the Tower Born" "" "Carolly Erickson turns cold fact to hot fiction in her first historical novel."--India Edghill, author of "Queenmaker" and "Wisdom's Daughter" "A fascinating first novel . . . This intimate look at a misunderstood woman by the author of a biography on the same subject is highly recommended."--"Library Journal" (starred review) PRAISE FOR "The Last Wife Of Henry VIII" "Entertaining."--"USA"" Today" "[Erickson] offers a good view of the intrigue and scheming in the court of Henry VIII. Descriptions of court and country life are well done and enrich the story."--"Library Journal" AND FOR "The Hidden Diary Of Marie Antoinette" "Writers of historical fiction must tread a fine line between loving one's protagonists while telling the truth about them. Carolly Erickson has executed this balancing act with the same scorching wit and greatheartedness that has always illuminated her biographies. The old 'let them eat cake' myth has once and forever been exploded, yet the author resists the temptation to sentimentalize or simplify the maddeningly complex character of Marie Antoinette."--Robin Maxwell, author of "The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn" and "To the Tower Born" "" "Carolly Erickson turns cold fact to hot fiction in her first historical novel."--India Edghill, author of "Queenmaker" and "Wisdom's Daughter" "A fascinating first novel . . . This intimate look at a misunderstood woman by the author of a biography on the same subject is highly recommended."--"Library Journal" (starred review)