Showing results for "Empress" in History

When it came to hunting, she was a master shot. As a dress designer, few could match. An ingenious architect, she innovated the use of marble in her parents' mausoleum on the banks of the Yamuna, which inspired her stepson's Taj Mahal. And she was both celebrated and reviled for her political...

A New York Times Notable Book Empress Dowager Cixi (1835–1908) is the most important woman in Chinese history. She ruled China for decades and brought a medieval empire into the modern age. At the age of sixteen, in a nationwide selection for royal consorts, Cixi was chosen as one of the...

New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice The remarkable story of the intrepid French archaeologist who led the international effort to save ancient Egyptian temples from the floodwaters of the Aswan Dam, by the New York Times bestselling author of Madame Fourcade’s Secret War “A...

"This audiobook is perfect not only for people in love with fashion, but also for anyone interested in fashion as art, obsession, and ever-present societal phenomenon."—Booklist A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press. In the tradition of The Barbizon and The Girls of Atomic...

Drawing upon Queen Victoria's previously unpublished journals, Elizabeth Longford's classic biography recalls the contrasts and curiosities of an earlier era with exquisite detail - and transforms the queen from a severe, time-worn effigy into a human being who loved, feared and fumed. Longford...

The thrilling chronicle of two of the most influential and glamorous women in nineteenth-century Europe. When they married Emperors Franz Joseph and Napoleon III, respectively, Elisabeth of Austria and Eugénie of France became two of the most famous women on the planet. Young and beautiful...

In the Shadow of the Empress is the sweeping family saga of beautiful Maria Theresa, the only woman to inherit and rule the vast Habsburg empire in her own name, and three of her remarkable daughters: lovely, talented Maria Christina, governor general of the Austrian Netherlands; spirited Maria...

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...

AN ECONOMIST BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR A vivid and enthralling account of the historical and cultural events that defined Budapest, a unique city in the heart of Europe, on the fault line between East and West—from the critically acclaimed author of Lenin “A compelling portrait of one of...

Discover the epic African history of a makeshift imperial camp that transformed into a thriving diplomatic powerhouse. Perfect for your daily commute, this immersive narrative chronicles how Empress Taytu’s vision on the Ethiopian highlands birthed a continental crossroads. Experience the...

No disease sparked as much dread in the 18th century as smallpox. The virus killed millions across the globe, carrying off one in every five victims and disfiguring survivors with tell-tale pitted scars. But one mysterious method offered hope: inoculation, the practice of piercing the skin to insert a drop of infected matter and induce a mild case of smallpox. Those inoculated safely were protected from the ‘Speckled Monster’ and stayed immune for life. Only one problem remained: convincing people to accept the treatment.

Step into the world of the Chinese Imperial Court through the eyes of Katharine Carl, an American artist who, in 1903, was granted a rare invitation to paint Cixi, the Empress Dowager of China. For nine months, Carl resided in stunning palaces, capturing not only the likeness of the Empress but also the vibrant customs and intricate politics of the royal household. As she navigated life among the elite, Carl found Cixi to be a blend of grace and intelligence, a ruler whose legacy remains complex and controversial. Initially hesitant to share her insights, Carl felt compelled to correct ...

Journey into the opulent and complex world of the Byzantine Empire as we explore the lives of its formidable empresses, whose stories are often overshadowed by their male counterparts. This podcast delves into the multifaceted roles these women played as rulers, strategists, and influencers, navigating the intricate politics of New Rome. Each episode features a new complete audiobook, presenting a rotating collection of narratives that illuminate the power dynamics, cultural richness, and personal struggles of these remarkable figures. From their rise to prominence to their enduring legacies, ...

Embark on a captivating journey through the annals of Imperial Rome, focusing on the remarkable women who wielded power behind the throne. This podcast unravels the intricate stories of the Empresses, whose lives were intertwined with the fate of the Empire, challenging the norms of their time to engage in politics and public life. Each episode features a new complete audiobook that delves into the lives of these extraordinary women, illuminating their influence and the legacy they left on history. This is not a single narrative but a rich tapestry of unique explorations that highlights the ...

Maria Theresa was the single most powerful woman in eighteenth-century Europe. At the age of just twenty-three she succeeded to the Habsburg domains only to find them contested by almost every power in Europe. In this engrossing biography, Richard Bassett traces Maria Theresa's life and complex legacy. Drawing on hitherto unpublished sources, Bassett reveals her keen sense of moderation and tolerance, innovative ideas on free trade and finance, and studied reluctance to resort to policies of territorial expansion.

There are so many competing messages trying to define what femininity is, with nuances and reinterpretations of the same ideas of what women can or should be. I am proposing a new approach, taking middle ground between traditional concepts and those posed by the feminist movement. In particular, I am focused on the esoteric aspects of female empowerment in this monthly TED-talk-esque show. LGBTQIA+-friendly.Edited by Victoria Jaye; views within the podcast are Vanessa's own and not always representative of the editor, though both advocate openly for LGBTQIA+ communities. Hosted on Acast. See ...

From the moment she seized the Russian throne in a coup that deposed her own husband, Catherine II—known to history as Catherine the Great—set out to transform a sprawling, backward empire into a European superpower. Over 34 years, she expanded Russia's borders deep into the Black Sea region, partitioned Poland out of existence, and corresponded with Voltaire and Diderot while tightening the bonds of serfdom on millions of peasants. Lucas and Luna guide listeners through Catherine's glittering court, her secret lovers (including Grigory Potemkin, who helped annex Crimea), and the brutal ...

Powerful and influential kings have long dominated our view of global history, their queens often relegated to the shadows, their influence, deeds and sacrifices unacknowledged and lost in the passing of time. But not anymore… This book chronicles the forgotten queens from across the globe –...

A fresh, witty, accessible life of Queen Victoria. Not since Lytton Strachey has the irony, contradictions and influence of this Queen been treated with such flourish or biographical insight. Reigning over a lifetime, Queen Victoria embodied the spirit of the contradictory era to which she lent...

This is the only book you need to read on Marie Antoinette, one of the most iconic and divisive characters in history.' 'Drama, betrayal, religion and sex, it's all here' Guardian 'Beautifully paced, impeccably written' Independent 'Fraser is at her best here, lucid, authoritative and...