Jean Baptiste Tavernier, écuyer, Baron D'aubonne, Chambellan Du Grand électeur (French Edition) : Book Review

"Jean Baptiste Tavernier, cuyer, Baron D'aubonne, Chambellan Du Grand lecteur" by Charles Joret is a captivating biography that delves into the renowned life and adventures of Jean Baptiste Tavernier, a 17th-century French traveler and merchant. Throughout the book, Joret provides a detailed account of Tavernier's remarkable expeditions to the East, which took him to countries such as India, Persia, and the Ottoman Empire.

One of the notable aspects of Tavernier's journeys was their duration and the vast distances he covered. As a merchant, he played a significant role in the highly profitable gemstone trade, allowing him to amass an impressive collection of precious stones. Notably, he acquired the renowned blue diamond known as the Hope Diamond during his travels.

Joret's biography offers readers a comprehensive understanding of Tavernier's life, motivations, and the political and cultural context of the time. Through meticulous research, the author explores Tavernier's encounters with influential figures, including royalty and notable personalities in the countries he visited. These interactions provide invaluable insights into the sociopolitical dynamics of the era.

Furthermore, Joret highlights Tavernier's contributions to the world of commerce, specifically his impact on the gem trade. By examining Tavernier's observations on the varied cultures and customs he encountered, the book offers readers a captivating glimpse into the societies of the East during the 17th century.

"Jean Baptiste Tavernier, cuyer, Baron D'aubonne, Chambellan Du Grand lecteur" stands as a comprehensive and engrossing biography that sheds light on the life and achievements of a remarkable individual who played a crucial role in exploration and international trade. With its deep historical insights, this book will undoubtedly appeal to both history enthusiasts and those interested in the exploration and trade of the East. Overall, it serves as a valuable resource for anyone seeking a rich understanding of Tavernier's extraordinary life and the world in which he lived.

What are readers saying?

The book "Jean Baptiste Tavernier cuyer Baron D'aubonne Chambellan Du Grand lecteur" by Charles Joret has received a mix of reviews from readers. With an average rating of 3.17 out of 5 stars, opinions on this book vary greatly.

Some reviewers appreciated the thorough and detailed nature of Joret's biography of Jean Baptiste Tavernier. They found the book to be well-researched and informative, providing a deep insight into the life and achievements of this historical figure. Readers admired the author's ability to bring Tavernier's story to life and appreciated the inclusion of various anecdotes and historical context throughout the book. They praised Joret's engaging writing style which made the content easy to follow.

However, there were also readers who felt that the book was overly dense and lacked organization. They found the author's writing style to be too academic and dry, making it difficult to stay engaged with the content. Some reviewers also mentioned that Joret seemed to assume a certain level of familiarity with the subject matter, which could be confusing for those less acquainted with the historical context.

A common criticism of the book was its lack of a clear narrative structure. Some readers felt that the information presented was disjointed and scattered, making it challenging to follow Tavernier's story in a cohesive manner. Additionally, a few reviewers noted numerous typos and errors in the book, which detracted from the overall reading experience.

Despite these mixed reviews, some readers still found value in Joret's biography. They appreciated the author's dedication to capturing the essence of Jean Baptiste Tavernier's life and the extensive research that went into writing the book. However, it is worth noting that for others, the dense writing style, lack of organization, and editing issues were significant drawbacks.

JeanBaptisteTavernier BaronDAubonne ChambellanDuGrandLecteur