Taking the Bastile

Alexandre Dumas

The novel contains love and betrayal, kindness and vileness. The key point in the book is the capture of the famous Bastille. The book will appeal not only to lovers of historical novels, but also simply to lovers of history. Ange Pitu is an orphan who lives after his mothers death with Aunt Angelica, who is a rather funny example of greed and duplicity. After expelling Abbot Fortier from school, Ange settles on the farm to his good friend Billot, where he falls into the hands of a brochure by Dr. Gilbert. It is she who brings our hero to Paris.

Ten Years Later

Alexandre Dumas

The dArtagnan Romances are a set of three novels by Alexandre Dumas telling the story of the musketeer dArtagnan from his humble beginnings in Gascony to his death as a marshal of France in the Siege of Maastricht in 1673. It is May 1660 and the fate of nations is at stake. Mazarin plots, Louis XIV is in love, and Raoul de Bragelonne, son of Athos, is intent on serving France and winning the heart of Louise de la Valliere. DArtagnan, meanwhile, is perplexed by a mysterious stranger, and soon he learns that his old comrades already have great projects in hand. Athos seeks the restoration of Charles II, while Aramis, with Porthos in tow, has a secret plan involving a masked prisoner and the fortification of the island of Belle-Ile. DArtagnan finds a thread leading him to the French court, the banks of the Tyne, the beaches of Holland, and the dunes of Brittany. The Vicomte de Bragelonne: Ten Years Later is the 3rd and largest continuation of the Musketeer saga, following The Three Musketeers and Twenty Years After.

The Black Tulip

Alexandre Dumas

Set at the height of the tulipomania that gripped Holland in 17th century, this is the story of Cornelius van Baerle, a humble grower whose sole desire is to grow the perfect specimen of the tulip negra. After his powerful godfather is assassinated, the unwitting Cornelius becomes caught up in deadly political intrigue and is falsely accused of high treason by a bitter rival. Condemned to life imprisonment, his only comfort is Rosa, the jailers beautiful daughter, and together they concoct a plan to grow the black tulip in secret. Also we meet the scheming and wicked Isaac Boxtel, who labors to acquire the elusive black tulip for himself, stooping even to falsely imprison the naive Cornelius. The Black Tulip, by Alexandre Dumas, is a work of historical fiction that mixes actual events in the Netherlands in the 17th century with fictional characters and events. A masterful retelling of one of the most infamous incidents in Dutch history, it is not to be missed by fans of historical fiction.

The Companions of Jehu

Alexandre Dumas

Set out for a rollicking good time with Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870), the renowned French author who created timeless classics such as The Three Musketeers, The Count of Monte Cristo and The Man in the Iron Mask. Les Compagnons de Jehu (The Companions of Jehu) tale is based loosely on a historical account of a band of young aristocrats-turned-highwaymen that continuously steals the money of the Directoire in order to finance the restoration of monarchy and who fought their way to freedom after being jailed on dubious charges. Packed with tragedy, political intrigues, noble heroes, love, and derring-do, this exciting historical tale constitutes a must-read for fans of Dumass work, and would make for a great addition to any bookshelf.

The Conspirators

Alexandre Dumas

In the center of the novel is the fate of Adjutant Bonaparte Roland de Montrevel, and already in connection with this story we are faced with the image of Napoleon himself. But this does not stop Dumas from paying him much attention in the novel. And if at the beginning of the novel Napoleon appears as a very young general of the period of the Egyptian campaign and subsequent events, then in the finale he already measures the crown after Marengo and his other brilliant victories.

The Corsican Brothers

Alexandre Dumas

The bonds that tie family together are among the strongest on earth. But what of those between two brothers born as Siamese twins? The Corsican Brothers is a richly drawn tale of fraternal love and revenge. Alexandre Dumas weaves the compelling story of Siamese twins who are separated physically but never in spirit. They have a truly remarkable psychic link, and can feel each others pains and triumphs. When one of the brothers is murdered, the other leaves Corsica for Paris to avenge the killing. Dumas, a master storyteller, brings this thrilling tale to life with his fascinating descriptions of Italy and France and his powerful portrayal of the undying love of brother for brother. One of Dumas earliest novels, and set in the present (1841), the book falls outside of Dumas historical canon.

The Countess of Charny. Or, The Execution of King Louis XVI

Alexandre Dumas

This swashbuckling yarn is the continuation of the story in Memoirs of a physician, The Queens necklace, and Six Years Later. The Countess of Charny or, The Execution of King Louis XVI is the seventh in Dumas series on the retelling of the French Revolution. Known as one of the important early figures in the burgeoning genre of historical fiction, Alexandre Dumas spent much of his life chronicling the social and political unrest that utterly transformed France and by extension, the rest of the world -- in the eighteenth century. This sweeping epic focuses on several parallel plot lines, all leading up to the death by beheading of the king in 1793, marking him with the dubious distinction of being the only French king to be executed. Highly recommended for fans of Dumass historical work, and is not to be missed by the discerning collector.

The Count of Monte Cristo

Alexandre Dumas

Set against the turbulent years of the Napoleonic era, Alexandre Dumass thrilling adventure story is one of the most widely read romantic novels of all time, along with The Three Musketeers. The historical setting is a fundamental element of the book, an adventure story primarily concerned with themes of hope, justice, vengeance, mercy, and forgiveness. It centers on Edmond Dantes who is wrongfully imprisoned, escapes from jail, acquires a fortune, and sets about exacting revenge on those responsible for his imprisonment. Acting as destinys agent, Dantes must face not only his enemies, but also the moral dilemmas raised by his ruthless quest for justice. His plans have devastating consequences for both the innocent and the guilty. Can the man who once had so much to live for, complete his mission and find peace, or will fate thwart his plan at the very last? Dumas novel presents a powerful conflict between good and evil embodied in an epic saga of rich diversity that is complicated by the heros ultimate discomfort with the hubristic implication of his own actions.