This ia an account of the last five years of the Spanish Monarchy under Manual Godoy and Carlos IV. I think her light touch relieves some of the tragedy endured by these unhappy people. Napoleon, from a management point of view certainly did a good thing for Spain by confining them to stop any further mischief, for they were a sorry lot. There's a good explanation of the Goya group portrait of the family, and the chronology of the final months of the French diplomatic offensive are accurately laid out. If you are looking for local colour at the start of the British intervention, this is a very readable work. ( )