Sex with Kings: 500 Years of Adultery, Power, Rivalry, and Revenge

Description

From the dawn of time, power has been a mighty aphrodisiac. The royal mistress, having conquered a king, often ran his kingdom, wielding her sexuality as scepter. Sex with Kings is trailblazing in its exploration of this intriguing phenomenon-the position of royal mistress at European Courts, the fascinating women who filled it, and how their responsibilities and rewards changed over the centuries. It's a nonfiction journey through 500 years takes the reader into the throne rooms and bedrooms of Europe's most powerful kings, and a chapter of women's history which has remained unwritten-until now.

Eleanor Herman is a New York Times bestselling author of several highly acclaimed works of nonfiction and has hosted episodes for The History Channel's show Lost Worlds. Eleanor has long been fascinated by the ancient world, and has visited most of the well-known ancient sites, from Homer's Troy to the great temples of the oracles. She lives in Virginia, USA.

"Sexy, Dishy and Funny" -- New York Times "An irreproachably researched and amusingly written history of European monarchs' jezebels." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Sex With Kings is...a lot more fun than Danielle Steel or Dan Brown." -- Washington Post Book World "Addictively Good Dish" -- Entertainment Weekly An enlightening social history that is great fun to read" -- New York Times Book Review "With all the suspense of a thriller... this book is simply ideal for a historical bestseller!" -- Barbara Wegmann, Amazon Germany in-house critic "Herman's spirited history of royal "mistresshood" is certainly a catchy read... History made as buoyant as fiction." -- Booklist "An irresistible book... Deliciously bawdy, outrageously entertaining... Herman's writing sparkles off the pages." -- Boston Globe "A smart, keenly researched history written with wry wisdom." -- Dallas Morning News