I really enjoyed this biography of the five children of a legendary ruler who were destined to themselves sit on thrones. Empress Maria Theresa was a force to be reckoned with. Of her numerous offspring, two sons would sit on her throne and three of her daughters would find thrones of their own. The most well known of these daughters are, of course, Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, and Maria Carolina, Queen of Naples. The story is extremely interesting, especially with regard to the descendants of these five children, who often inter-married and played their own part on the world stage.

An excellent volume in the Habsburg saga. ( )

The author possesses a fine story-telling ability. The book might have been stellar had it been vetted by another authority on the subject.