How to Ruin a Queen, Jonathan Beckman
How to Ruin a Queen, Jonathan Beckman
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How to Ruin a Queen
Marie Antoinette and the Diamond Necklace Affair

Author: Jonathan Beckman

Narrator: Michael Page

Unabridged: 12 hr 17 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 12/09/2014

Synopsis

In 1785, a sensational trial began in Paris that would divide the country and captivate Europe. A leading Catholic cardinal and scion of one of the most distinguished families in France stood accused of forging the queen's signature to obtain the most expensive piece of jewelry in Europe: a 2,800-carat diamond necklace. Where were the diamonds? Was the cardinal innocent? Was, for that matter, the queen? The revelations from the trial would bedevil the French monarchy as the country descended into a bloody revolution.

About Jonathan Beckman

Jonathan Beckman is senior editor of Literary Review. He has degrees from the University of Cambridge and University of London. His writing has appeared in numerous publications, including The Observer, Times Literary Supplement, Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail, Financial Times, Sunday Times, Spectator, New Statesman, and Independent. In 2010, he won the Royal Society of Literature Jerwood Award for Non-Fiction. He lives in London.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Carlos

What a good book, I was taken aback by the amount of information contained in this book. It deals with pre revolution France, the main subject has to do with the purchase of a diamond necklace by the queen Marie Antoinette . But things are not so simple, it turns out the whole purchase was a scam in......more

Goodreads review by Dave

I am a fan of history books, however I am often drawn to generalized histories on big topics such as the 16th century or the American Civil War. This book is different in that it is an in depth account of events that occurred over the course of only a few years in France on the eve of their Revoluti......more

Goodreads review by Lois

Wow this was a wild and humorous ride. This is surprisingly detailed and while I don't agree with all of the authors conclusions I felt this was well handled and informative. In many ways this reminded me of that American Crime The OJ Story TV show. As in the details are fantastic and outrageous yet a......more

Goodreads review by Michele

If Hollywood had made a movie creating this plot, criticism would be that it was way over the top. Truth is stranger than fiction, however, and these events really did occur. At its heart, Marie Antoinette was accused of agreeing to buy, then stealing, a necklace of well over 2000 carats; the most e......more

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