“A preposterously entertaining
history of the postwar country house.
... Unnervingly and deliciously vivid.”
—RACHEL COOKE, OBSERVER
“This is by far the best book
we have on Maximilian and Carlotta’s
ill-fated rule in Mexico.”
—ALICE L. BAUMGARTNER,
AUTHOR OF SOUTH TO FREEDOM
“Fascinating, comprehensive study
that forces us to think again
about what law is, and why it matters.”
—RANA MITTER, UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
“A wildly ambitious and
entertainingly lurid history.”
—TIMES
“Densely erudite,
but also richly inventive.”
—TIMES (LONDON)
“Authoritative, compelling, and
beautifully written. A wonderful book.”
—PETER FRANKOPAN, AUTHOR OF THE SILK ROADS
celebrate the holidays with basic books
to teach and delight
02 _ 04 _nyrb 121621 .indd 4 11 / 17 / 21 6 : 36 PM