The Comedy & Tragedy of the Second Empire Paris Society in the Sixties; Including Letters of Napoleon III., M. Pietri, and Comte de la Chapelle, and Portraits of the Period

"The Comedy & Tragedy of the Second Empire" by Edward Legge is a historical exploration of Parisian life during Napoleon III's rule, painting a picture of its lively culture and complex politics. The story begins by introducing a young Eugénie de Montijo witnessing Louis Napoleon's arrest, symbolizing her family’s desire for power and hinting at their linked fates. The narrative follows Eugénie's captivating personality and Napoleon's imperial dreams, detailing their development and the societal factors that shaped them, setting the stage for a deep look into the personal and political events of the Second Empire.