Catherine de' Medici "The Black Queen" (The Thinking Girl's Treasury of Dastardly Dames) Hardcover – Picture Book, October 3, 2011

It was a little hard to swallow, watching my great grandmother be turned down

continued my French History. very good book

Well written book as an introductory for young girls. I (senior) enjoyed reading it too.

Here's a book that can get young girls interested in history. This is not a child's book, there are adult events discussed (murders by poison, adultery, and beheading). But it is discussed without embarrassing details. The book is very thorough in covering Catherine's life from birth, to teen marriage, Queen, her children's fate, and her desire for control. This is a quick read, not an in-depth study.Along the way some very interesting situations develop. Pictures help show what she wore, ate, her family, and her animal collection.Here's a peek inside the book: "If it were not for Catherine, the French may not have the side saddle, the high heeled shoe, forks for eating, the folding fan, the ladies' handkerchief, the violin, modern ballet and opera, and the custom of wearing underpants." Did you know that?

Havemeyer takes readers back five centuries to learn the captivating details and dastardly deeds of French Queen Catherine, wife of King Henry II (1519-1589). Born into the powerful Italian family of Medici, Catherine endured a turbulent childhood and was married off into the French Monarchy at age 14. Once in France, her dreams of happiness were never fulfilled but she boldly persevered as a powerful yet often brutal leader who stopped at nothing to protect her family, hence earning her name "The Black Queen." The collaged illustrations combine period masterpieces, a timeline, maps and photos of artifacts with well-placed captions to enhance the story. Tweens will be left pondering; was Catherine evil or was she a courageous survivor who maintained devotion to her fate?