Forget everything you think you know about the name Richelieu. This book isn't about the powerful Cardinal in his red robes. It's about his great-nephew, Louis François Armand de Vignerot du Plessis, who lived from 1696 to 1788. That's right—he saw almost the entire 18th century unfold.

The Story

The book follows his incredible life from a young man thrown into the Bastille for dueling, to becoming a Marshal of France and a key player in major wars. But his battlefield victories are only half the story. The other half happens in the gilded halls of Versailles. We see his famous friendships (and rivalries) with figures like Voltaire, his string of affairs with the most influential women in Europe, and his genius for staying in favor while kings and courtiers rose and fell around him. It's the biography of a man who treated life itself like a grand, strategic campaign.

Why You Should Read It

I loved this because it reads like the best kind of historical drama. The Marshal isn't a dusty statue; he's a full, flawed, and fascinating character. D'Estrée uses letters and firsthand accounts to make you feel like you're right there, witnessing the gossip, the political backstabbing, and the sheer extravagance of the era. You get a front-row seat to history, not from a king's perspective, but from a master manipulator who helped shape it from the sidelines.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who loves biographies that feel alive, or for fans of shows like The Great or Versailles. You don't need to be a history expert to enjoy this. If you like stories about clever survivors, outrageous personalities, and a world of absolute luxury and brutal power plays, you'll be hooked. It's a brilliant portrait of a man and the vanishing world he so expertly dominated.