The Last Empress of France Audiobook By Petie Kladstrup, Evelyne Resnick cover art

The Last Empress of France

The Rebellious Life of Eugenie de Montijo

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The Last Empress of France

By: Petie Kladstrup, Evelyne Resnick
Narrated by: Jilly Bond
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The dramatic untold story of Eugénie de Montijo, the woman who created haute couture, fought for women’s rights, opened France’s schools to girls and ruled the country as its last empress, yet today remains almost unknown.

Although a nineteenth-century woman, her almost twenty-first-century outlook was key to the creation of modern France. Viewed frequently as a mere “ornament of the throne” of her husband, Emperor Napoléon III, this Spanish-born aristocrat proved to be almost as fiery as her red hair, fighting against institutional limitations, establishing innovations in childcare and women’s health, scientific research and education, battling anti-Semitism and “sex prejudice,” all the while displaying a political acumen so sharp that her husband gave her sole control of the government during his absences and consulted her daily when he was home. But the triumphs and glamour of her life were coupled with heartbreak and tragedy.

This first definitive American biography of Eugénie restores her far-reaching legacy to history.

©2025 Evelyne Resnick (P)2025 HarperCollins Publishers 19th Century Europe France Historical Modern Politics & Activism Royalty Women Heartfelt
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I am listening to the Audible version and it is absolutely fascinating. After a wide resumé of events in Spain and France, we get to the family, birth and childhood of Eugénie. Much detail about the family and their various movements on the continent. Where things get really interesting is when she is comfortable in her position of power. At this point, she's ready to do battle with Haussmann and other important men who are not used to being obliged to listen to women, let alone do their "bidding".

The best part of the book is that it's a great addition to all the things we are learning about the contributions of women throughout history that were not talked about or celebrated until quite recently. The things the Empress did were in line with the kind of spirit Princess Diana showed. Empathy is not usually strong in people of power, even among the women. Building schools and improving the lives of young women is one of Eugénie's greatest accomplishments. The fact that she practically jump started the French fashion industry is another feather in her cap. Some of the face of Paris itself is owed to her time as Empress. But her life was not without tragedy, which I will refrain from mentioning here.

The performance of the narration is professional and easy to listen to. A few of the foreign names, such as Haussmann, are not close in pronounciation, but that only matters if you know French intimately. Other wise, it's a solid job.

I didn't know history could be this fascinating!

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