The Rise of Richelieu (Studies in Early Modern European History)

Winner of the prestigious French Prix Richelieu for the best history book published in 1993, The Rise of Richelieu remains the first full study in English of Richelieu's rise to power and, as such, provides a definitive account of the multiple forces that shaped his distinguished career. Drawing on original sources, Joseph Bergin melds them into a masterful book which illuminates Richelieu's life: his reasons for choosing the church as a vocation; his university studies; his record as a bishop; his-writings; and the milieu that he frequented both as a student and as a bishop. Writing as both a historian and a storyteller, Bergin has created a vivid and insightful account of an interesting and important man.