This book "Maximilian and Carlotta" offers a vivid portrait of the ill- conceived venture of European royal breds into international high society and politics. The appointment (by Napoleon III) of Austrian Archduke Maximilian von Habsburg and his wife, Princes Carlota of Belgium to the throne as emperor and empress of Mexico remains virtually forgotten in history of the Americas (1864-1867) The start was extravagant and ambitious, the saga ends with death. Hardback, 502 pages, illustrated, in English, size 16x24 cm