Book Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Book Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Book Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Book Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Book Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Book Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Check this one out!
I am a high school student and I am currently working on a research paper on Alexandre Dumas for Honors English II.This book contains some pertinent facts and information on Dumas, his works, and the era of Romaniticism. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Yet another great book by Alexandre Dumas!
"A Masked Ball" contains five short stories, all of which areunique.They range from a tale related by "The Cabriolet Driver"to a heart-breaking story of a Russian duel titled "Marianna". Perhaps the best of the five stories is the one for which the book istitled, "A Masked Ball".At only six pages long, it is anincredibly gripping story.As soon as you finish it, you will want to readit again.

Some people may have heard that Alexandre Dumas had a tendancyto be long-winded with some of his books (The Three Musketeers, The Countof Monte Cristo, etc.).Those people should be sure to check out "AMasked Ball".They will find out what many of us already know:Whenit comes to great books, Alexandre Dumas was in a class by himself.

oh, GREAT!
A Masked Ball is a very very short story, but a GREAT story!Right from the second paragraph it got me so interested and caught-up I swore I'll never do anything else before I finish it.Well! It's short, so I finished it in 5 minutes, but I read it again, and again and again for 3 times, THEN I put it down! Dumas definately have his way to capture the reader's attention, even with only 5 pages of story he can make you breath-less, caught-up, and totally amazed!Just try this work and you'll never be disappointed!!!!!! ... Read more

Book Description
A re-appraisal of the life and works of Dumas, the elder. The author attempts to rebut the critics of Dumas and to clarify the position of Dumas in French and world literature. ILLUS. ... Read more

Book Description
Uniquely designed, this 6" X 9" deluxe edition of Signature Classics features a padded leatherette casing enhanced by gold gilding on all three sides.Highlighted by a full color picture insert on the cover surrounded by gold foil stamping, this series is sure to become a collectable.A standard Jacketed Edition is also available. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (74)

Forget the movie, read the book!!
Oh wow, what a great end to an incredible ride, the story of the Musketeers.I haven't been so engrossed in a series of books since I picked up Diana Gabaldon's Outlander. Athos, Raoul, Porthos, Aramis and of course D'Artagnan are going to be in my thoughts and dreams for some time, I hate to let them go.

If you are expecting the story as told by Hollywood, forget it. While I haven't seen the latest version with Leonardo DiCaprio (forgive me if I spell it wrong), I looked at the reader reviews and was quite surprised at how different the book is from Hollywood's version.I also recall a movie done in the late 70's/80's that is nothing like the book as well.I would pick it apart point by point, but that would include spoilers. The Man in the Iron Mask is actually the last third of a huge novel by Dumas originally titled The Vicomte de Bragelonne. Because of the size of the book, English publishers have divided into three books, The Vicomte de Bragelonne (Oxford World's Classics), Louise de la Vallière (Oxford World's Classics), and The Man in the Iron Mask.

Suffice it to say that TMITIM is the final chapter of our heroic Musketeers, as well as Raoul, the son of Athos.While we all know the story of Louis XIV's twin and the plot to substitute him, that is a minor part of the whole story, as the action then becomes centered on the aftermath of that plot and Louis' revenge.It has been a grand, glorious ride reading this series, The Three Musketeers, Twenty Years After, The Vicomte de Bragelonne, Louise de la Valliere and The Man In the Iron Mask.And do have your box of tissue handy for the last 20-30 pages. You'll need it.

One side note, some people are purchasing this as a stand-alone book, which it is not.You could probably get away with that, but you'll spend so much time looking back at the footnotes trying to figure who is who I doubt you will enjoy the story as much.Also, this version didn't have the list of characters that the VDB and LDLV did.Go for broke and read the whole thing, it's well worth it.

The Final Bow of the Musketeers
Before you start this book you should know that any resemblance between the book and the movies that Hollywood has turned out is completely accidental. The names of the main characters are about the only similarity that I could find and as is the norm, the book was much better.

This, the last installment in the Musketeer series, gives us the story of the final acts of our heroes, Athos, Porthos, Aramis and D'Artagnan. Unlike many literary characters our Musketeer friends have aged as the story progresses and have all retired but D'Artagnan who is still the Captain of the King's Musketeers. Athos and Porthos are quite wealthy and Aramis has attained the rank of Bishop. Aramis is not content with his station however and knows a secret that he thinks he can use to become Pope. This secret is the knowledge that Louis XIV has a twin brother who is hidden away in the Bastille and Aramis is quite sure that this brother would make a better King than the current monarch. Aramis is also pretty sure that the new King in gratitude will nominate his liberator for the office of Cardinal and then will scheme to make the new Cardinal Pope.

In this plot Aramis acts alone except for some help from Porthos who has no idea what he is involved in. The twins are successfully switched for a short while but then the plot falls apart and Aramis and Porthos flee for their lives although Porthos is still not sure what is going on. The "pretender" to the throne is left to his own devices by Aramis and is imprisoned in a new location with the iron mask added to his discomfiture. Aramis does not come across in this book as much of a hero and in many respects this story is much darker than it's predecessors.

Given the advanced age of the Musketeers, there are not nearly as many swashbuckling adventures as one is accustomed to but on occasion Porthos in particular will rise to the challenge. The political intrigues of the Court of Louis XIV and the decline of the Musketeers are in fact the main plot lines of this story. In the end, only one of the four is left and to find out which one you will just have to read the book. Athos, by the way, only seems to play a side role in this story and is neither involved in the plot against the King or in his rescue.

As is always the case, Dumas' writing style is superb and is filled with historical fact. He does tend to be a bit wordy and his books are often much longer than necessary but even with this slight drawback he ranks as one of my all-time favorite authors. In this book Dumas closes out the careers of his most popular characters and he does it with style.

No One Can Write a More Thrilling Story than Dumas
Having just spent the last few months reading all five books in the Three Musketeer series, the following are my suggestions.

1.Read all five books in order.The Man in the Iron Mask is probably enjoyable on its own but reading the four books that proceed it help place the story in its proper context.Think of the Man in the Iron Mask as the dessert in a five course meal.Dessert is great but the four proceeding course are also enjoyable.Getting to the end of the book was especially enjoyable knowing that I was finishing a 3,500 page experience.

2.Read the Oxford University editions.There are wonderful end notes that help the reader keep track of the characters and events.When you read 3,500 pages you need that type of assistance to keep things straight.The Introductions are also very well written and help the reader get back into focus before beginning the next chapter.

3.If you really like any one book in particular, go to the internet and purchase a well illustrated used hardback edition for your collection.I purchased a used Three Musketeers with illustrations by Maurice Leloir.The three hundred plus illustrations make that edition especially enjoyable.

Along with Sir Walter Scott, Alexandre Dumas created the genre of the historical adventure novel.I have been reading these types of novels my entire life.Beyond a doubt, Alexandre Dumas is the master virtuoso of this genre.

The end of a trilogy
The Man in the Iron Mask is not actually a book -- it is the last volume of a very large book entitled Le Vicomte du Bragalonne or Ten Years After.Le Vicomte is divided into three parts, typically called "Le Vicomte du Bragalonne," "Louise de la Valliere", and of course, "The Man in the Iron Mask."

Thus, if you read only this book, don't be surprised that it sometimes seems you are catching only the end of a conversation.

The larger work, Le Vicomte, is named after Athos's son, and it follows the young vicomte through his life and love -- taking large detours to a young Louis the XIV's court.Our heroic musketeers, Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and d'Artagnan make only small appearances throughout, but these scenes are the most memorable of the musketeers series.

The Man in the Iron Mask brings our four fast friends together again, for one last adventure.This time, though, they are at odds with one another, divided by their own key character traits.

I have personally seen several movie versions of the Man in the Iron Mask, and I have never seen one I liked.Skip the movies -- read the book.And if you find yourself entranced, go get the first two volumes, and enjoy!

This is the end...beautiful friend...
After writing The Three Musketeers and Twenty Years after, Dumas wrote a third installment to the trilogy. It is probably the most controvercial book in the trilogy, as can be revealed by reading many of the reviews. For starters, it's LONG: over 200 chapters. As a result, the English-speaking world has split it into three books: The Vicomte de Bragelonne, Louise de la Valiere and The Man in the Iron Mask (the most famous volume). The length is certainly a problem, in fact is it THE major flaw in the conclusion of the trilogy. Dumas is never terse or concise, but in this three-part book, he produces an monolith. This was largely due to him overcomitting himself and having to write this much for financial reasons. However, while this is a major setback, the three books still have elements of great, almost sublime Dumas left in them, which can be extracted if approached in the right way.

In terms of this specific volume (The Man in the Iron Mask), this is where the Four come back into play after a long absence during Louise de la Valliere. Also, as could be expected, they come to meet their destinies and indeed, their deaths. The title of thebook derives from Dumas tying in to the popular conspiracy theory of the historical man in the iron mask as being some important figure, to his writing about Louis XIV's court. In the book therefore, the man is the king's identical twin brother, who was imprisoned to prevent the potentiality for a scuffle for the throne and/or civil war (and no, I wasn't wrong to "ruin" it as his identity is already mentioned in Louise de la Valliere - and if you have not read that or the series up to this point, PLEASE do so - although only the Three Musketeers and this volume are commonly known, they are all great, and necessary to enjoy this book). But like usual, there are many other exploits, triumphs and tragedies. Why is this the title then? I think the whole trilogy sees the escalation of the role of the Musketeers as being behind national affairs, and the possibility of usurpation found in a twin exceeds them all and lets them go out with a bang.

If you only expect more action involving the Four, then don't bother reading this at all. However, if you persevere, you will get to see sublime glimpses of what a long way the Musketeers of old have come (for better or worse), what they think about the entire society they live in and what Dumas thinks. As well as some of the old-fashioned-style adventure. I think that the fact that this is obscured by an overly-drawn-out style, while annoying, does not detract from this being an honourable conclusion to the trilogy.

Some didn't like the ending to the whole saga. I did, although some chapters at the end could have been edited out completely. The reason is that by now, I as a reader felt quite close to all the former Musketeers and this book shows the twilight of their life, shows them for who they are. Aramis as having somewhat fallen from honour by excessive manipulation and scheming that escalates to a shattering climax, Porthos as simple yet good-natured and always ready to help, d'Artagnan as the forceful man embittered by decades of serving asses and Athos and Raoul as the ever-solid rocks of calm finally reached by tragedy. They've all come a long way and the as they fade into the next world, this volume reminds us fondly of them and the chivalry, adventure, arrogance, good-humour and intrigue that they and the series stand for. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (190)

Three cheers!
This is the story of a poor, young, French man, named d'Artagnan Gascony. He leaves his home with only a sword, an old horse, and his family name. Fate steps in and he manages to meet and make angry not one, not two, but three of the kings swordsman, known as "Musketeers". They each decide to duel him, one right after the other, but only d'Artagnan knows this. When the first duel is to begin, all three Musketeers arrive, one to fight and the other two to act as seconds. Just as they begin exchanging blows the Cardinal's guard arrives and attempts to arrest the three Musketeers and d'Artagnan, forcing them to act together. The four defeat the Cardinal's guards and the adventure begins.

This book is loaded with characters who are either extremely evil such as the conniving Cardinal, or the wicked Midlady de Winter, or righteously heroic like the musketeers, d'Artagnan, his faithful servant Planchet , and love Constance. There are many tense moments, sword fights, and situation which require skill and offer danger to the friends of d'Artagnan.

When you consider that The Three Musketeers was written in 1846, over one hundred and fifty years ago, it is amazing that it can hold the attention of the modern reader, but that it does. Alexander Dumas allows you to see through his writing the details surrounding the situations, you are not a reader, but a by stander in d'Artagnan's exciting life. So dig in and be prepared to be transported back to France, in the 1800's, where wit, bravery, friendship and sword play will have you cheering for the Musketeers!

-- Peter Brodnax

"Meung, a pretty market town on the Loire..."
In the very midst of the last Harry Potter being published, I picked up this title from my library, mainly because of the attractive cover and easy-to-read design and typeface. I also wanted to see what a great classic felt like. I was highly rewarded.
Certainly this amazing and ground-breaking work is dated in places, particularly when men are disposed of without the least thought and women are placed on pedestals like goddesses. Nonetheless, the ease with which Dumas develops the ties between Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and D'Artagnan is a work of art in itself. One cannot say these sophisticated gentlemen are utterly carefree, but they deal with what life offers them with a very modern sense of skepticism, romance, and adventure. No religious figure can fool them with absurd piety. No falsity can entrap them. Each protects and supports the other, yet each character is unique, and we feel we know them thoroughly.
The plot tumbles forward, full of adventure, intrigue, romance, betrayal, and evil. Dumas is a great story teller, although at times wrapped up with himself to the point of tedium, but those passages can be read over quickly. A rich supporting cast of characters, from Cardinal Richelieu to Queen Anne to Milady, who is the incarnation of evil, make this work amazingly entertaining, even over the course of 600 pages.
It would be a great exercise to contrast this one work with that of Harry Potter. Obviously, Dumas, who was enormously popular, is writing for an adult audience, and does not spare us sexual exploits. But the forces unleashed are similar in both works: good, loyalty, and truth versus evil, deception, and falsehood. Interesting.
Just a word on the translation: It was lively, modern, and smooth. No awkwardness was apparent. Descriptions were crystal clear.

Vocabulary too advanced to hold childrens' attention
I bought this classic novel on cd thinking it would hold the interest of my 2 grade school boys, who enjoy books on cd while driving to and from school.They did not like the narrator's snobby french accent nor could they understand many of the words.This is a great cd for high school or adults but not children.A bust for us.

An all-time favorite
I'm a big fan of Dumas and thus far have finished this and 20-years after (and will likely continue the series at some point).

There's not a whole lot I can add here as 186 people have already reviewed this, so I'll keep this brief.

On the edition, I read the Modern Library hardcover edition (I note this in case my review turns up under other editions, as often happens on Amazon) and I liked it.That said, I'm not familiar with any of the other translations so can't really provide a comparative analysis, but suffice it to say I found the modern libary edition very good (high quality materials and the translation was by all means easy to read).

On the story, it is in my opinion one of the most enjoyable I've ever read.It's entertaining, it's full of action, and it's humorous at times.But it's the characters that make it such an enjoyable, memorable read - d'Artagnan in my opinion is one of the most memorable and easiest to relate to protagonists in all fiction (whether we're talking about novels, film, or TV, Dumas' d'Artagnan is one of my favorite fictional characters ever), and his three friends (as well as his enemies) are equally well crafted.

Highly recommended - in fact I'd call it a must read.

Boring...
I love a lot of the classics, but I just could not get into this one at all. It is just so long winded. It is a shame as the basic storyline is fantastic. ... Read more

Book Description
El Conde de Montecristo, Audio libro dramatizado en español basado en la historia original de Alejandro Dumas. Es una de las novelas de amor y venganza más populares de todos los tiempos. Es la historia de Edmundo Dantes, joven marinero, (personificado por el primer actor Luis José Santander), quien el día de ser nombrado capitán del buque "El Faraón" y de planear casarse con su amada Mercedes, es injustamente puesto prisionero por traición, por una conspiración tramada por personas quienes le tenían celos y envidia. Después de varios años de prisión en el Castillo de If conoce a un sacerdote, el Abate Farias, quién le impartió conocimientos y sabiduría, y le mostró el camino para un gran tesoro. Tras escapar y ya poderoso con una gran fortuna, Dantes asume el rol del Conde de Monte Cristo para llevar a cabo su planeada venganza contra sus acusadores y enemigos.(3 CDs - 2 Horas 40 Minutos) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

El Conde de Monte Cristo
El Conde de Monte Cristo me trae muchos recuerdos maravillosos.Lo lei en 1973, durante un tiempo que estuve con muchos problemas y este libro fue mi escape.Me ayudo a seguir siendo valiente para seguir adelante.En 2003, le comente a mi nieto de 12 anos sobre este libro y tambien lo leyo, y le parecio estupendo. ... Read more

Book Description
Kethol--The pretty fellow, a long and lanky redhead with an easy smile and an easygoing attitude that his clever eyes deny. He is quick with a quick....and quicker with a sword.Durine--The big man, a head taller than most and twice as wide, built like a barrel, with a loyal heart and hands too thick to use anything more delicate than an ax handle.Pirojil--The ugly one, his face heavy-jawed, with an eye ridge that would mark him as a Neanderthal only to the most gracious. But looks deceive, and his might be the rarest gift of all.Athos, Porthos, and Aramis they're not. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

Boring, repetitive and disinteresting.
Joel Rosenberg really blew it by developing the changes in the alternative fantasy world far too quickly.

The great fun and interest of the original three books was the interplay between characters with contemporary/technology and the alternative world people.

I don't blame Joel Rosenberg for trying to expand on the theme and draw out the original trilogy, but the whole Home Valley concept seems as laughably unrealistic as like Ayn Rand's hidden valley in "Atlas Shrugged." There were too many changes in too short of a time.

Unfortunately, this only leaves a rather snoozy theme of feudal political intrigue peppered with the ageing original characters...Who have been relegated to the equivilent of a rather clownish upper middle-class medieval gated suburb.

As far as the broken trio of Pirojil, Durine and Kethol from the previous book...Enjoy reading about the character Kethol had become a magically disguised lovelorn milksop. Feh.

Erenor, the low level wizard scoundrel with a penchant for magical glamour disguises is almost completely ignored except for the tail end of the story, where his threat seems completely out-of-character.

The worst part was with the character Pirijol, the only possible half saving grace of this entire "next generation" series, completely underdeveloped and underused except when Rosenberg reminds the readers for the 100th time about how ugly he is.

This book is a sad and worthless waste of a great fantasy franchise.

I'll confess,
I am a Rosenberg fan. I really like the Guardian of the Flame novels even if they are getting a bit (okay a LOT) repetitive. I am also a fan of series, and I like that this one is starting to branch off from the original characters and explore more of the world through the eyes of what were only secondary players in the beginning novels. All of the Guardian books have been solid enjoyable reads, and I recommend them highly to those who enjoy fantasy.



Right before Christmas, out of new books and searching for something to read I came across the first book in the Guardian series and I reread it. Which led me to reread ALL the Rosenberg books again and I take it back. They really aren't repetitive. I am surprised I thought so. They were a very, very enjoyable read even though it was my second time through the entire series. Maybe the first time I read them too fast, who knows? All I can say is that I was wrong. I recomend them even more.

Definitely an enjoyable book.
I actually started the series by reading this book (thank you, Andy, for the gift. Good call) and I enjoyed it quite a bit.

Summary: Three soldiers are dragged into a political argument and ordered to investigate a minor dispute in the outreaches of the realm, which leads to more than anyone had bargained for.

Pretty good opening concept, although I never read the backs of the books (it ruins the surprise for me). What interested me more than anything else was the pure grittiness of the world that Joel, whom I'm sure doesn't mind being on a first-name basis from me, captured and dropped into my hands. In a land of magic, legends and dragons, one wouldn't expect there to be hardship in simply travelling or even danger in getting a simple drink.
If life were so simple, there wouldn't be much of a story. So the attention to detail, the dangers of everyday life in a world without constant police presence, was impressive.

The characters are hardened veterans, having fought, bled and watched those they've known fall in battle, or even in a street fight. They're honorable without being fanatical about it, exceptionally practical and utterly dedicated to their lord. Joel captures and keeps the societal differences between our world and theirs, and the consistency of it was well done indeed.

The characters are Pirojil, ugly as can be and never is he portrayed otherwise, Durine, large and dangerous and distant, and Kethol, heroic and not too bright but humble. Despite their weaknesses, they are engaging and make for some plausible interaction. It seems obvious that people who have worked together for a long time would know each other, but Joel makes it a point to note some of their conversational short-cuts, and includes some failings among friends that are understandable.

Summary: Great characterizations, a good story and some creative solutions to tricky problems. If you liked Glory Road, Outlaws of Sherwood and/or the Deed of Paksenarrion series, you'll like Not Exactly the Three Musketeers.

A fun read
This book is a fun read. I started reading the guardians of the Flame series a few years ago and have enjoyed them all.

The book starts off a little slow but has great character developement and by the end you won't want to put it down. In fact you'll be sad that it's over.

This the first time that the leads of the story are neither Othersiders or the son of an Oothersider and it is fun to see things from a different point of view.

Half-hearted at best
I keep hoping the Guardians of the Flame series will improve, but after the first two, it was all down hill. The author has a habit of reusing favorite phrases and descriptions. Particularly disgusting is the frequently mentioned "loosing of the bowels with a horrible flatulence" upon someone's death. Although many of the other stories in the series follow an interesting idea (modern-day folks transported into a wizards-and-warriors world), this story fails to have anything interesting to explore. He keeps you in the dark about the 'real' part of the plot until at least page 288, and even then it's over so quickly that I almost missed it. This book doesn't really have anything to recommend it; it has poor writing, poor character development, and a poor plot. I'd take Terry Brooks over this any day. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Larger than life
This review refers to three books: Alexandre Dumas by Michael Ross (ISBN 0715377582), The Titans by Andre Maurois (ISBN 0837161517) and The King of Paris by Guy Endore (ASIN B000BW4094). All are highly recommended for information on Dumas and his age and for entertainment value.

We know him best as author of The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers, but Alexandre Dumas' greatest creation was his own life. He had a saying: "Old age begins when daring dies". Like Oscar Wilde, Dumas put his genius into his life and his talent into his work.

Dumas was a larger than life character. A six foot three (1.9m) part negro, he was an expert swordsman, superb calligrapher, fluent linguist, brilliant conversationalist, ardent Republican, collector of medals and Royal orders, organiser of his infamous 'fiction factory', outrageous plagiarist, spendthrift whose complex financial affairs might have inspired his contemporary Balzac, world traveller, gourmet cook, lover whose series of affairs scandalised all of Paris till he was well into his sixties, world famous playwright, yet more famous novelist, and possessed the dramatic instinct to a most perfect degree, both in his life and his works. Despite his defects and excesses he possessed the ability to inspire affection in all whom he met.

He was involved in most of the political events of his time. Dumas as a boy of thirteen saw Napoleon arrive, and leave, France during the Hundred Days; in the July Revolution of 1830, in a musketeer like flourish,he single-handedly took the garrison at Soissons Arsenal ; he bankrupted himself in support of the 1848 revolution; in a red shirt he marched into Naples at the head of Garibaldi's volunteers in September 1860.

Dumas disseminated the ideas of the Romantic revolution to millions throughout the world. This was a man who assimilated the influences of Byron, Scott, Fenimore Cooper and Schiller, counted Victor Hugo, Berlioz, Liszt, Rossini and Delacroix as his friends, knew Gérard de Nerval, Frédérick Lemaître, Musset, Vigny and the Goncourts well and for three amazing years, 1844-47, was the 'King of Paris', with a worldwide reputation which made him one of the most popular authors who ever lived.

Michael Ross' biography does a good job of sketching in most of this. It is a frustrating aspect of Ross' book that much of Dumas' relations with contemporaries is glossed over. Correspondingly more detail is given of his early life which occupies a large part of the text: Ross follows Dumas' own Mes Memoires for much of this. He concentrates on seminal dates, and illustrates them with lively anecdotes. Dumas attending his first play in Paris and meeting the critic Nodier, who was subsequently thrown out of the theatre for booing his own play. The first night of Henri III in 1829, the popularity of which changed Dumas' life. The year of 1844, which saw the publication of both Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers. Ross doesn't attempt to deal in depth with Dumas' approximately 600 novels, plays, autobiography, travel books, essays, tracts and cookbooks.

Andre Maurois' The Titans covers the lives of three Alexandre Dumas: grandfather, one of Napoleon's generals; father; and son, author of the novel and play Lady of the Camellias or Camille (inspiration for Verdi's La Traviata) . One of the remarkable things about Maurois' book is how fascinating the part about Alexandre the father is, and how dull the part about Alexandre the son. The former was a good, great and entertaining man, and his personality comes vividly through. The son was a frigid, unhappy man who covered a badly scarred soul with misogyny and pomposity. He lived a sad life despite his fame and prestige. It is clear that Dumas the father - with his prodigality, his egotism, his generosity, his impulsiveness, his energy, his disorder, passions, idealism, self-deceit, power, charm, wit and intelligence - did blight his son's life, did create the frightened, arrogant, moral poseur that son became.

Endore's The King of Paris takes a leaf from Dumas' own book. It is written in the style of a Dumas romance, full of imagined anecdote and vivid conversations that should have taken place: it goes beyond relaying facts, and attempts to create the character Dumas, and does so successfully. Endore tells the story of the omelette competition with Delacroix, who won by making a painting from the ingredients, and another of Dumas standing guard, covered most completely by his collection of medals: the ones on the seat of his trousers he explained had been given him by monarchs since deposed. We learn that after squandering more than one fortune, Dumas died with exactly the same amount in his pocket with which he arrived in Paris as a poor young man, and boasted: "I'm just as rich as when I started out: how can anyone accuse me of extravagance!"

Dumas seems to jump right off the page, 120 years after his death, in all these books, so great was his vitality then. It is this vitality which gives to his books, and his greatest work, his life, their enduring interest. ... Read more