A remarkable experience of little reported events

The Second Empire of France was, by the early 1860's in good health. France had acquitted itself well in the Crimea and in the war against Austria. The idea of a European monarch on the throne of Mexico was not a new one. France was attracted to the idea of a 'Latin' influence in America and thus the opening chords were struck of what would eventually be-to quote the author-'A Dance of Doom', the steps of which would lead the Archduke Maximilian to a stark wall there to be riddled with bullets from a Mexican firing squad. The author of this account-a young American woman living in Paris-was swept up in these extraordinary events and found herself in Mexico amongst its most influential figures. This is her essential and riveting story of turmoil and rebellion.