2024 the best dancer on earth review

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The Last Great Dance on Earth is the triumphant final volume of Sandra Gulland's beloved trilogy based on the life of Josephine Bonaparte. When the novel opens, Josephine and Napoleon have been married for four tumultuous years. Napoleon is Josephine's great love, and she his. But their passionate union is troubled from within, as Josephine is unable to produce an heir, and from without, as England makes war against France and Napoleon's Corsican clan makes war against his wife. Through Josephine's heartfelt diary entries, we witness the personal betrayals and political intrigues that will finally drive them apart, culminating in Josephine's greatest tragedy: her divorce from Napoleon and his exile to Elba. The Last Great Dance on Earth is historical fiction on a grand scale and the stirring conclusion to an unforgettable love story.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000FC0QTI
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Atria Books; 1st Scribner Paperback Fiction ed edition (January 27, 2002)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 27, 2002
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 4861 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 0684856085
Reviewer: Lynne P Caldwell
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Well Done Sandra Gulland--An Outstanding Conclusion!!!
Review: I can't express how much I loved this wonderful novel. The most accurate adjective I can think of would be 'interesting'. This book was soooo interesting. Gulland's attention to detail is absolutely meticulous. She used over 400 sources in the writing of this trilogy. I learned so much--not only about Napoleon and Josephine, but also of other historical figures of that time. I also found the daily life of the aristocracy not only fascinating but also exhausting.Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine Beauharnais are some of the most intriguing characters in history. Their story is so compelling and Gulland does a wonderful job of presenting it. Her 'Josephine' trilogy tells the story of Marie-Josephe-Rose Tascher (Beauharnais Bonaparte) who was born on the French Caribbean island of Martinique in 1763. She died, as she was still known, as the Empress Josephine at her beloved Malmaison in Paris in 1814. THE LAST GREAT DANCE ON EARTH begins in March 1800 at the Tuileries Palace in Paris and ends at her death. But, Gulland has a special treat for her readers. She ties up all the loose ends by telling us what happens to all the characters in her novel. I loved that! In fact, I was taking a tour a couple of weeks ago in St. Augustine, Florida and the guide told us that this is where Napoleon Bonaparte's brother came to....I now know that it was Jerome. The author also has a chronology with detailed accounts and dates of events in the last fourteen years of Josephine's life. Gulland also used actual letters of the pair in this book. And again, the pages are peppered with footnotes that add credence to this story.In book three we're treated to more of the deep and abiding friendship of Josephine and Napoleon. The love they had for each other is legendary. Napoleon was a wonderful father to Hortense and Eugene and they also adored him. But Josephine had to put up with her horrid in-laws, their jealousy and constant designs of destroying her marriage, their lies and the constant undermining--geesh, she was more patient than I could have been. They eventually succeeded. Despite going through horrible and archaic treatments for infertility, Josephine could not conceive. As we all know, Napoleon divorced her in order to gain an heir. Even then, they continued their friendship and love.I have been mesmerized with Napoleon and Josephine since visiting the Lourve for the first time as a college freshman and falling in love with David's "The Coronation of Napoleon." Then, after visiting the famous, albeit headless statue of the former Empress at her birthplace in Martinique, my curiosity became insatiable. We learned that Josephine's head was cut off because she influenced her husband to reinstate slavery. I was hoping to read an explanation in these novels but it was never mentioned (although Martinico is mentioned quite often). Which comes to another point: Gulland mentions that researching the lives of Napoleon and Josephine is addictive; I've already bought two more books, maybe I'll find the answer to my question!

Reviewer: Lancaster active family
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great end to a great series
Review: Loooove this series! Gulland did not simmer out on the third book of the series. I couldn't wait to see how this series ended, but at the same time wanted it to go on forever. Her characters are so rich and complex and real. Her descriptions made me feel like I was right there in the action with the characters. I just loved the character of Josephine! I loved how it was written in diary entries that didn't feel like fake "dear diary" entries. It made it a fast read (I despise long chapters - somehow long chapters feel like work bc I have to read in small bits of time where I can sneak it in).The whole series seemed to transport me to another world. Just wonderful, beautiful. Loved it all.

Reviewer: Lindy researches
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Another great story.
Review: Very similar to other books I've read about this woman. Although this author seem to go into more details. A good solid read with clearly defined characters, good grammar, and best of all, another great story of her. If my review has helped you please click yes. Thank You

Reviewer: carmen
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Mesmerizing Trilogy
Review: Titles: The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine Bonaparte, Tales of Passion, Tales of Woe and The Last Great Dance on Earth.Author: Sandra GullandPublished by Harper Collins Publishers, Inc.Backup References: Goodreads, AmazonTheme: Historical NovelWritten in the form of fictional diaries, Sandra Gulland manages to enthral the reader throughout three difficult-to-put-down books. From a feminine perspective, she starts by describing Rose's (Josephine) as a young girl in Martinica and takes you from her somewhat humble roots to her acquiring grace, elegance and diplomatic skills, her unhappy first marriage, the joy of having two children, her suffering during the Terror, her lovers, her agreeing to marry the "rude Corsican", the intimacy inside their bedroom, Napoleon's rise to power, their learning royal protocol, the complexities of war, politics, endless intrigues, betrayal, his exile and her death.Credible. Extremely well researched. Fast paced. Three page turning history novels worth cherishing.

Reviewer: F. Green
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Oooh, la, la...
Review: I'm almost 40 and I'm new to the reading world, although I know how to read well and I've always been a keener with good grades in english somehow I managed to go through school without reading a single novel, I just didn't read it and that really brought my grade down. I've never - until recently read novels or much of anything else... When I began to read earlier this year- the feeling was euphoric. It was the discovery of this treasure I was surrounded with and never knew... Now I love, love, love to read. I've collected so many books I'm sure it'll take a few years to get through. I started shallow splashing around with light reads such as Sophie Kinsella, Emily Griffin and soon dove in deep and gravitated toward historical fiction. I enjoyed this trilogy a lot. Although I know Josephine was going to die in the end, it didn't stop me from crying (something I try to avoid if I can)... Any suggestions for other interesting reads, please let me know. I suggest this set, it was wonderfully written... As well I enjoyed Ken Follet's "pillars of the earth" I have't yet started the follow up "a world without end" I also enjoyed Phillipa Gregory's books... Until I read Sandra's books of Josephine I knew little of Napoleon. It has sparked my curiosity and I research online to learn more about Napoleon, Josephine and the others. Enjoy.

Reviewer: Michele Kennedy-Green
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: A good and entertains narrative of the period.

Reviewer: Caylee
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: This is NOT a romance novel. Not even close.It is a description in diary form of day to day life in France from Josephine Bonapartes eyes. I personal and sometimes very sad depiction of the trials of her life. Both her and the Little Caesar have been much maligned by plebes. But if you know an ounce of Napoleonic history you would realize that this is not true. Both put their underwear on the same as anyone else. It its clearly evident in Sandra Gullands trilogy. I learned many things about life in the time, and I thought I knew a lot. ha!It's a must read.

Reviewer: Shradhanjali Rai
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Here's my book review -http://picturesbooksandlife.blogspot.in/2014/03/book-review-last-great-dance-on-earth.html

Reviewer: ANR0L
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Wow ! I didn't know what to expect from this book but from the first page i was hooked.The second in the trilogy is not so spellbinding but entertaining all the same, have yet to read the third, so, watch this space.

Reviewer: patricia
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I devoured all three books in this trilogy. If only history at school had been this enjoyable! Recommend this to anyone interested in the life of this intriguing often misunderstood woman.