A book about …The Fall of Napoleon and the Congress of Vienna (1815) by Adam Zamoyski.
Forget about your floozy Angelique Novels with their phony intrigues. This is the real thing! In this book you will read how almost all the crowned heads and their side-kicks, princes, entourages and the lot, had a months long party, where they – at the moments when they did come to serious business – divided Europe after the old “Nobles” of Europe got rid of Napoleon.
Princess Catherine de Bagration A.K.A. the Naked Angel, was elected Miss Congress by the sovereigns… Maybe it had something to do with the fact that she wore transparent dresses all the time? It also paints a frivolous picture of these serious diplomats, who were unable to keep their pants on.
Ever since I read this book, I look at the “higher ranks” with even different eyes. And that is no small accomplishment for an old Anarchist like me.
If you are looking for some nice bedside reading, this is it. Have fun (for certain…)
