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Last Great Dance On Earth (Paperback)

by Sandra Gulland (Author)
4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
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Product Description

From Publishers Weekly

Gulland completes her elaborately detailed Josephine Bonaparte trilogy (The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B.; Tales of Passion, Tales of Woe), taking up the story in 1800 at Paris's Tuileries Palace, where 36-year-old Josephine and her younger husband, Napoleon (who has just become France's First Consul), are desperately trying to conceive. Despite numerous questionable "cures," Josephine remains barren. Her daughter from her first marriage, Hortense, marries Napoleon's brother and produces a son Napoleon wishes to adopt in order to establish a hereditary succession. When this plan fails, advisers claim Napoleon's authority has been weakened. As Napoleon and Josephine rise to power, ultimately being crowned emperor and empress, Gulland does a remarkable job of showing how rumors and disloyalties changed the course of history. Under increasing pressure to produce an heir, Napoleon divorces the heartbroken Josephine, calling the act a noble sacrifice they both must make for the Empire. Napoleon remarries, and a son is born; soon after, he leaves for his unsuccessful invasion of Russia, his last campaign before abdication and exile. Josephine dies shortly thereafter, in 1814, ending her life with thoughts of Napoleon. Florid prose floods the tale, and the diary style of the first-person narrative is limiting, but neither of these problems seriously handicaps the novel. Gulland brings to life an exciting period in Europe's past through the eyes of one of its most famous women. The popularity of the first two installments assures an avid following, but this meticulously researched tale stands alone as a romance of epic proportions. (Nov.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist

In the final installment of her acclaimed Josephine Bonaparte trilogy, Gulland chronicles both the marriage of Josephine and Napoleon and the rise and fall of Napoleon's vast empire. Recounted strictly from a woman's point of view, the gripping narrative offers a uniquely feminine perspective on a tumultuous historical era. An active participant in the momentous events of her day, Josephine bears witness to the treachery and political intrigue plaguing her husband's controversial reign. Of course, the passionate, tempestuous relationship between Josephine and Napoleon, two equally remarkable and charismatic individuals, forms the core of this romantic odyssey. A vividly detailed fictional portrait of one of the most fascinating women to influence the course of history. Margaret Flanagan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
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21 Reviews
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4.9 out of 5 stars (21 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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5.0 out of 5 stars Praise for This Excellent Book!, Oct 20 2009
The Last Great Dance on Earth, by Sandra Gulland (Third book of the Jospehine B. Trilogy)

...Josephine and Bonaparte have just gotten married...


I'm often asked if its possible to read this book without having read the previous two. First of all, the three volumes in the trilogy are a continuation of eachother. So, in order to appreciate the story in full, you need to read all three. Josephine's life takes such dramatic turns that it almost seems as though she lived three lives in one. Almost like three powerful novels culminating in The Last Great Dance on Earth. This one, I felt, was truly a touching and emotional read.


As the first two, the third volume is also written in diary form. In this book however, Sandra Gulland, develops the memoirs even further, without ever altering them. For me, this brought Josephine to life, closer than imaginable. From the beginning of this book, Gulland lures the reader further and further in, until you become totally captivated by Josephines life.


It was impossible not to befriend Josephine. Her letters called out to me and I often thought myself to be her priveleged confidante. Gulland skilfully captures our emotions throughout these letters. This can be seen in: Josephines unsuccessful and painful ordeals to have Napoleons baby; Bonapartes familys disdain for her as well as their scheming plans to rid themselves of her; Josephines loneliness; Her pain and humiliation while enduring Bonapartes affairs; Her resilience, sacrifice and surrender for the name of love and a greater purposeand more.


I was able to feel Josephines emotions throughout the book. At certain points, I even became angry at her for accepting Napoleons affairs; but this didnt last for long. Despite my views, somehow, I made exceptions for Josephine. I understood her reasons and also came to accept them. She understood Napoleons greater purpose and all that it entailed. She understood that he was a man like no other, Je le veux- and he conquered. Her voice, feelings and motives came through clearly throughout this historical novel. Very often, I become teary-eyed when reading about the lives of historical figures- but with Josephine, I caught myself sobbingseveral times (as though Id learned about this for the first time). Josephines love, tenderness, understanding and total devotion to Napoleon, her man, came first, above all else.


Besides her great love for Napoleon, Josephines tremendous love for her children is constant throughout the book. The detail in portraying Josephine as a caring and encouraging mother who stood by her children in their every decision, made her all the more endearing to me. The way Josephine cared for Hortense through her painful family tragedy and marital problems - Her willingness to take care of her grandchildren when Hortense needed her most- her children could always depend on her to be there.


Eugene and Hortenses letters to her are filled with caring words that reveal love and concern. There is a clear sense of their close and loving relationship in the way they all interact with eachother. They are together and united in every decision, regardless of their own personal feelings; the Divorce being a perfect example of this, as well as, their unity in accepting and welcoming Bonapartes decision to marry Marie Louise.


These unbelievably difficult situations which must have required an enormous sense of loyalty, love and acceptance, continuously surface the story to emphasize the passionate life that Josephine lived. And in the end, Eugenes touching letter announcing the death of his beloved mother to Bonaparte, addressed: Sire, Emperor (Papa), completely moved me to tears. I know its history, and Ive read this all before; Even so, The Last Great Dance on Earth is now forever sealed within my heart.


Up until her death, Josephine only wanted what was best for her Bonaparte, the man who had inspired her to believe once again in heroes, in destiny, but above all in the miracle of love. p.4


Passionate times, beautiful details, sorrowful moments, love beyond boundaries- Bringing history to life, The Last Great Dance on Earth is an exceptional book.

[...].

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5.0 out of 5 stars A great finish to a great trilogy, Nov 13 2007
By A. Scott (Toronto) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
The Last Great Dance On Earth is the 3rd book in this amazing look at the life of Josephine Bonaparte, although this book is a great read on it's own, I would recommend reading them in order (The many lives and secert sorrows of Josephine B. and Tales of Passion, Tales of woe). Josephine Bonaparte was a figure I really had no prior knowledge of, but I found my self riveted with the accounts of her life. This book details the rise to power and eventual fall of Nepoleon told from the perspective of Josephine. You really got a sense of the love that they shared, and the heartbreak of having to put the needs of an empire ahead of their own. Josephine's heartbreak leading upto, not to mention after her divorce from Nepoleon was so well written by Sandra Gulland, I found my own heart breaking for her. I don't think I have ever been as touched by a characters pain, as I was with Josephine. It is one of those books that captivates you from start to finish!!! I was sad to have it end!
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5.0 out of 5 stars Don't forget the rest of the trilogy, Jun 15 2003
By A Customer
While this book stands out on it's own merits, you would be doing yourself a huge disservice if you didn't read the first two books in the trilogy first ('The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B.' and 'Tales of Passion, Tales of Woe'). This is probably my favorite group of books and everyone I have let borrow them feels the same. All are well-written and easy reading (as well as interesting history). I am only sorry that Sandra Gulland hasn't written any other books...yet. I keep hoping.
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 		 Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars The Last Great Dance on Earth
The Last Great Dance on Earth is a novel that allows you to gain a better understanding of the reign of Empress Josephine while being extreamly enjoyable. Read more
Published on April 16 2002 by Katharina

5.0 out of 5 stars my review
In this third book in the series, the whole tragedy of Josephine's life unfolds. First she goes through her husband's meteorite rise to power and is moved from a big Palace to an... Read more
Published on Oct 4 2001 by Ana Maria Barrenechea

4.0 out of 5 stars A good final book to the trilogy
This book wrapped up the story of Napoleon & Josephine very well. I found myself truly caring what happened to this couple. Read more
Published on Jul 30 2001 by J. Peterson

3.0 out of 5 stars A glimpse of a mythic romance...
The last in the trilogy based on the life of Josephine, wife of Napolean, humanizes this historical love affair. Read more
Published on Jul 9 2001 by Luan Gaines

5.0 out of 5 stars The Last Great Dance on Earth
I loved this book! All three of the "Josephine trilogy" are excellent. I learned more about Napoleon and Josephine, and indeed, the French Revolution, than I ever... Read more
Published on Jun 15 2001 by Diana L Chambers

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing...just amazing
How does Sandra Gulland do it? This well-researched, well-written trilogy will score her legions of fans everywhere. Read more
Published on April 24 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars Emotionally gripping, historically compelling!
Gulland achieves an amazing feat not always shared by her fellow historical novelists....she captures your heart, or I should say, her characters do. Read more
Published on Mar 16 2001 by susan

5.0 out of 5 stars A terrific read with alot of heart!
Although this is a historical fiction triology, it is abosolutely one of my favorties on Josephine. I have read several books about Josephine, and this is the first time that I... Read more
Published on Feb 24 2001 by Dee Dee 77

5.0 out of 5 stars A Mesmerizing Trilogy that Never Lets the Reader Down
I love these historical novels. Sandra Gulland has history and imagination and great writing skills going for her. Read more
Published on Jan 14 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars Historical Pageturner? I Thought That Was an Oxymoron
Excellent book! Great series! I read this one in a night.

This third and final installment marked the final chapters in the life of Josephine, beginning with Napoleon's reign of... Read more

Published on Jan 4 2001 by njbookworm

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