The thinking girl's treasury of dastardly dames

Dubbed the "Black Queen" of France, Catherine de' Medici came from one of the most powerful families in 15th-century Europe and, marrying into the French Royal Court, led a precarious life. This history details how Catherine, anxious to secure the power of her family, became the target of rumors about poisoning those who opposed her, was blamed for the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, and reportedly dabbled in the dark arts.

Fact meets with illustration to present an intelligent, evocative rise-to-ruin story of Cleopatra who, despite her schemes, lost everything --including her beloved homeland.