
PREFACE
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
NAPOLEON
HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF ROME
THE PRINCESS JEANNE
HACON THE KING
MI REINA! MI REINA!
HENRIETTE THE SIEGE BABY
THE RED ROSE
THE WHITE ROSE
A lively collection of true tales brings the lives of historic princes and princesses into the same bright imagination that usually belongs to fairy tales. The author weaves facts from old chronicles into narratives that feel like spirited adventures, making each figure—whether a humble noble or a celebrated emperor—feel immediate and relatable. By ordering the stories loosely rather than chronologically, the book invites listeners to jump from one fascinating era to the next without the pressure of a textbook.
Among the first stories, a young Napoleon rises from a modest island family to the height of power, dreaming of grand campaigns and larger‑than‑life exploits that echo a boy’s game of make‑believe. His youthful ambition, playful snow‑fort battles, and bold—but sometimes overreaching—plans are recounted with humor and honesty, showing both triumph and flaw. The surrounding chapters follow other real royals whose choices shaped nations, offering listeners a glimpse of history that reads like a series of enchanting, yet grounded, adventures.
Language
en
Duration
~10 hours (610K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Emmy, Sharon Joiner, Rachael Schultz and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2014-06-30
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Best known for helping shape the beloved Fairy Books, this English writer, editor, and translator brought classic folk and fairy tales to generations of young readers. Her own books for children also show a gift for lively storytelling and literary retelling.
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