In case you missed my 2025 To-Read History Books post, this book is one of my must-read books of the year. I always enjoy Nancy Goldstone’s books- they are well-researched and very easy to read. (They are great books for anyone new to history!) And I’ve always been interested in both Eugénie and Elisabeth. It should go without saying, any chance to explore the lives of women will be taken so I knew I needed to share this book. Without anymore waiting, let’s get into The Rebel Empresses by Nancy Goldstone!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Rebel Empresses: Elisabeth of Austria and Eugénie of France, Power and Glamour in the Struggle for Europe, Nancy Goldstone
When they married Emperors Franz Joseph and Napoleon III, respectively, Elisabeth of Austria and Eugénie of France became two of the most famous women on the planet. Young and beautiful—becoming cultural and fashion icons of their time—they also played a pivotal role in ruling their realms during a tempestuous era characterized by unprecedented political and technological change.
Fearless, adventurous, and independent, Elisabeth and Eugénie represented a new kind of empress—one who rebelled against tradition and anticipated and embraced modern values. Yet both women endured hardship in their private and public lives. Elisabeth was plagued by a mother-in-law who snatched her infant children away and undermined her authority at court. Eugénie’s husband was an infamous philanderer who could not match the military prowess of his namesake. Between them, Elisabeth and Eugénie were personally involved in every major international confrontation in their turbulent century, which witnessed thrilling technological advances as well as revolutions, assassinations, and wars.
Why You Should Read This…
I read this book at the end of last year, and I will say, it was one of the highlights of the holiday season for me. This joint biography was fascinating, start to finish. It is a wildly busy and complicated period in European history, and we are getting to know two of the most interesting people from the period.
Both Eugénie and Elisabeth are well-known, but Elisabeth, aka Sisi, is obviously much more popular. Still, the pages are equally shared by both women, and “know” Eugénie as much as Sisi by the end. There are alternating chapters between the two of them providing a good balance. They are not chronologically lined up, as in the same years are not necessarily being discussed, but we move through various stages of life at the same time. I had somewhat expected that Goldstone would be highlighting how similar the women were but I was wrong- she absolutely lets each empress stand on their own. Yes, there are some similar elements but they led very different lives. I am incredibly happy to say I was wrong about this!
Goldstone is a fantastic author. Her books often feature two to five figures and she always thoroughly covers each of their lives, their connections, and the wider context without feeling like a textbook or getting heavy. I greatly appreciated her introductions to the men and women around Eugénie and Elisabeth, especially given that there are many similar names and titles. This is one of the best joint biographies that I’ve read, and I will be widely recommending it!
Is The Rebel Empresses by Nancy Goldstone on your to-read list?
Cheers,
The Historian
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