Hero of Two Worlds

Quite a good biography of a political and military figure that was larger than life. Well researched and well written.
Lafayette was fearless champion of liberty, but not stupidly so. He always tried to do what he thought was right, and though he sometimes blundered, he stuck to his principles all his life. Given that he made many enemies over the years, including the French Kings and Napoleon, and that he was active in multiple revolutionary movements, it is a wonder that he survived to die in old age – still much beloved in both America and France.
Mike Duncan did quite a good job of narrating his own book.
4.5 stars rounded up.

Mike Duncan's a great disseminator of the most interesting parts of a historical story and how to put those parts together in a compelling way. His voice is also great for listening to, so after listening to his Rome stuff and the Revolutions podcast, listening to the audiobook for everyone's favorite fighting Frenchman (LAFAYETTE! I'mTakingThisHorseByTheReignsMakinRedCoatsRedderWithBloodStains!....sorry) was a no-brainer.

I didn't know much about Lafayette before this book, despite taking an entire course on the French Revolution and getting a B in it. Why, you ask? Because my professor and the textbooks I read were BORING, and so I've spent YEARS thinking the French revolution was a complete snoozefest. Duncan proves me wrong here, making every element of Lafayette's life very compelling. He was a complex man, involved in many important events on two continents, and Duncan paints a vivid picture of the man himself and the situations he found himself continously involved in.

Small note, the Netgalley copy of the audiobook I received (thanks, Netgalley + publisher!) cut off in the middle of the final chapter, which was very frustrating. So I have no idea how this book ends. But, that's not the fault of the book obviously, so it doesn't affect my rating or review.

Really amazing account of Lafayette's life! Duncan does a great job providing concise yet sufficient context for Lafayette's life too. Pre-revolutionary France, the American Revolution, the French Revolution, the Reign of Terror, the Napoleonic Wars, the Bourbon Restoration, and the July Revolution are all explained along with Lafayette's part in each.

I really wish Duncan gave more judgment on his life, though. Where did Lafayette go wrong? Where did he go right? What were the flaws in his day-to-day character that might've prevented him from reaching his goals? Duncan offers some reminiscence from Lafayette's contemporaries at the very end of the book, but I found it far from sufficient. In any case, a really delightful read about a fascinating character!