Book reviews

Juan Carlos: A People's King
Paul Preston Book Review

Read a book review online (click here to search reviews)
Books Movies  
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Mystery/Thriller Literature Romance Biography Video
Paul Preston Books
New book search
Paul Preston Message Board
Get more information about this book
Plot Summary of Juan Carlos: A People's King
"Juan Carlos: A People's King
Paul Preston
Harper Collins, 2004
ISBN: 0002556324

Prince Juan Carlos of Spain was born in Rome in 1938. Spain was effectively a monarchy without a King, and the last sovereign, his grandfather Alfonso XIII, had had to leave the country in 1931, taking the family into exile with him.

He was declared the successor of General Franco, Dictator of Spain, to become head of state after the latter's death. When Franco died in 1975, some doubted how long the restored monarchy would last under its young and inexperienced sovereign.

Yet this book shows in painstakingly-researched detail that, despite the authoritarian traditions in which he was raised, and despite his cloistered education and difficult relations with his father, he succeeded in becoming a democratic and popular King. Above all, his courageous action in putting down the military coup of 1981 won him much respect from many who had previously regarded him with some scepticism."

John Van der Kiste, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of Juan Carlos: A People's King
Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Royalty bio Yes
Period of greatest activity? - 1950+

Subject of Biography
Gender - Male
Profession/status: - Prince/Nobleman/King
Age: - 60's-90's
Biography of famous person? Yes
Ethnicity - White
Nationality - Italian
How sensitive is this person? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other people
Physique - average physique

Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings? - 4 ()
Europe Yes
European country: - Italy - Spain
Misc setting - Fancy Mansion
Century: - 1980's-Present

Style
Person - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
Book makes you feel? - thoughtful
Writer's slant towards subject: - favorable
Story of entire life, or part? - story of set of events during life
Pictures/Illustrations? - A ton 16-20 B&W
How much dialogue in bio? - little dialog
How much of bio focuses on most famous period of life? - 76%-100% of book
Most similar books to Juan Carlos: A People's King
Leap of Faith, Memoirs of an Unexpected Life by Queen Noor
Princess Margaret: A Life Unfulfilled by Nigel Dempster
Queen Elizabeth 2: A Woman Who Is Not Amused by Nicholas Davies
The Romanovs – The Final Chapter by Robert K. Massie
Diana & Dodi: A Love Story by Rene Delorm


Click here for more information about this book


Paul Preston Resident Scholar Profiles

TOP SCHOLAR:
  
John Van der Kiste  

SCHOLARS:


Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
Three ways to search for Biography books!

1) One-click plot searches! Simply click on a plot or subplot below!

Animal story?

Big Business story?

Disaster Story

Ethnic/regional/gender

Family, hate

Family, ill

Family, love

Food

Job/profession/poverty story

Kids growing up/acting up?

Life in an institution

Outdoors story

Pal/friendship story

Phys disability/mental struggle?

Political/social rights fight

Road trip

Romance

Royalty bio

Sports story

Taboo Sex Story?

War/Spying



or 2) Simple lookup
(title or author)

or
3) Even more search options available with a Detailed Booksearch (click here)

Use our site!
17 FREE Sci-Fi Ebooks!
FREE "How to be happy" Ebook!
Feedback


Most recent discussions:

General Book Talk
Book writing discussion
Off-topic message board
Norah Lofts 12:50:53 AM
Suzanne Weyn 4:47:34 PM
Wilma Counts 1:23:32 PM
George W. Bush 5:33:46 PM
Kin Platt 12:58:29 AM
Anonymous 12:47:34 PM
Lilian Jackson Braun 10:05:52 PM
Jane Rubino 10:04:38 PM
LaVyrle Spencer 10:04:00 PM
G.A. McKevett 10:03:31 PM
David Williams 10:03:01 PM
Steven Pressfield 10:02:30 PM
Jeanette Walls 10:00:19 PM
Darryl Ponicsan 9:59:27 PM
Ann Rinaldi 9:58:30 PM
R.L. Stine 9:57:34 PM
Geoffrey Huntington 9:57:14 PM
Betty Mahmoody 9:56:38 PM
Deric Longden 9:56:11 PM
Mary Downing Hahn 9:55:48 PM

More message boards