Maximilian and His Empress Carlota

A great history book that reads like fiction which tells the tale of one of the most ridiculous political blunders of the 19th century......the creation of an empire in Mexico with a Hapsburg on the throne. Emperor Franz Josef of Austria and Napoleon III of France colluded in this tragic experiment.....Franz Josef due to his jealousy of his younger brother Maximilian's popularity and Napoleon, due to greed. Archduke Maximilian and his wife Charlotte (Carlota when in Mexico), daughter of the King of the Belgiums are offered the "Empire of Mexico" and ascend that throne against the wishes of wiser friends and counselors. Max is an artistic, gentle and rather weak man who is driven by his wife who is more intelligent than he but paranoid and overwrought. Nothing goes right and their reign is filled with tyranny as Benito Juarez lurks in the background ready to begin the revolution which will drive the Hapsburgs and the French from his country. The United States is also making threats about a monarchy on its border. When Napoleon breaks his treaty and begins pulling his troops from Mexico, Empress Carlota leaves for Europe to plead for assistance. She falls into madness and never sees her husband again. Juarez has Max assassinated although Carlota is never told of his death. The "Empire" lasted 3 1/2 years......a tragedy which had consequences in future history.