A Treasury of Royal Scandals: The Shocking True Stories of History's Wickedest, Weirdest, Most Wanton Kings, Queens, Tsars, Popes, and Emperors

Summary (from the publisher): From Nero's nagging mother (whom he found especially annoying after taking her as his lover) to Catherine's stable of studs (not of the equine variety), here is a wickedly delightful look at the most scandalous royal doings you never learned about in history class.

Gleeful, naughty, sometimes perverted-like so many of the crowned heads themselves-A Treasury of Royal Scandals presents the best (the worst?) of royal misbehavior through the ages. From ancient Rome to Edwardian England, from the lavish rooms of Versailles to the dankest corners of the Bastille, the great royals of Europe have excelled at savage parenting, deadly rivalry, pathological lust, and meeting death with the utmost indignity-or just very bad luck.

Review: This book presents a brief overview of the best (or the worst?) examples of royal debauchery and the truth behind the gossip handed down through the centuries. This book was hilarious, mostly due to Farquhar's witty description of the wanton kings and queens. For example, her description of Mary Queen of Scots: "Only a few years later, she came to discover a little something that had been missing from her first marriage: primal, pulsating lust. Mary had the hots for cousin Henry." Definitely would recommend this, especially to those who love historical fiction.

Stars: 4