Catherine de' Medici

"Bloomsbury presents 'Catherine de' Medici' by Mary Hollingsworth, a compelling new biography that explores the life of the powerful 16th-century queen of France through neglected primary sources. The author sheds light on the complexities of Catherine's character, challenging persistent myths and revealing her efforts to promote religious coexistence, her patronage of arts and culture, and her deep engagement with literature and science. Narrated by Sophie Hunter and Rachel Bavidge, this biography offers a nuanced portrait of a woman often misunderstood by history."