{"product_id":"9781643135922","title":"Louis XIV: The Power and the Glory","description":"\u003cb\u003eAn intelligent, authoritative, and often surprising biography of the most famous of French monarchs, by an acclaimed biographer and historian.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis stylish and incisive narrative presents readers with a fresh perspective on one of the most fascinating kings in European history. Louis XIV's story has all the ingredients of a Dumas classic: legendary beginnings, beguiling women, court intrigue, a mysterious prisoner in an iron mask, lavish court entertainments, the scandal of a mistress who was immersed in the dark arts, and a central character who is handsome and romantic, but with a frighteningly dark side to his character.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Louis believed himself to be semi-divine. His self-identification as the Sun King, which was reflected in iconography by the sun god, Apollo, influenced every aspect of Louis's life: his political philosophy, his wars, and his relationships with courtiers and subjects.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e As a military strategist, Louis's capacity was ambiguous, but he was an astute politician who led his country to the heights of sophistication and power-and then had the misfortune to live long enough to see it all crumble away. As the sun began to set upon this most glorious of reigns, it brought a gathering darkness filled with the anguish of dead heirs, threatened borders, and a populace that was dangerously dependent upon-but greatly distanced from-its king.","brand":"Pegasus Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46435007135985,"sku":"9781643135922","price":19.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0674\/5433\/7265\/files\/9781643135922_p0.jpg?v=1764974748","url":"https:\/\/shop.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781643135922","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble","version":"1.0","type":"link"}