The Last Emperor of Mexico: The Dramatic Story of the Habsburg Archduke Who Created a Kingdom in the New World by Edward Shawcross

 5 out of 5 stars  *****

A chapter in history of which I know very little, this book beautifully tells the story of Mexico's political growing pains. The discovery of the New World becomes fertile soil for European powers, opportunists, and anyone who could conquer indigenous people to blend cultures, if not, assert existing foreign culture in the challenging territories of the Americas. This account does not cover Mexico's initial conquest but the battles among the conquerors, themselves, to establish a Monarchy in this part of the world.

The influence of Spain is great but the French appetite for riches and dominance begin the story of The Last Emperor of Mexico: The Dramatic Story of the Habsburg Archduke Who Created a Kingdom in the New World. The tradition of European Monarchy is the excuse Napoleon, of France, uses to employ a prince of Austria as Emperor of Mexico. This insertion accompanies the French Foreign Legion, French and Prussian advisors in military and foreign relations besides carving out a palatial existence in the rugged terrain of Mexico.

The interesting facets of resistance to Monarchy and the threat of Republicanism cause events to remain in a state of flux for the upper class dignitaries who look to share the stage of prominence in the world of aristocracy. The story reveals mankind's ambition with greed, pride, and power producing an unfavorable outcome and hardships along the way.