Man Behind the Iron Mask: A True Story
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Book Overview
"For more than three hundred years the legend of 'the man in the iron mask' has held a place on the stage of human enquiry and debate. From the time of his incarceration during the reign of Louis XIV right through to our modern day, the awful fate of the man condemned to live a lifetime with his face encased in iron has inspired, depending on the era, anger, horror, pity and fascination." So opened the New York Times review of the first edition of The Man Behind the Iron Mask. John Noone's masterful account of the mystery presents all the known facts of the prisoner's existence chronologically as they have been discovered, including the famous legend immortalized in the nineteenth century by Alexander Dumas in his sequel to The Three Musketeers, and into modern times with the supposed discovery of his skeleton in an old tower in Cannes in 1977. Noone also offers his own intriguing solution to the identity of the Man in the Iron Mask, telling the story of this mystery of enduring strength like no one else has.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0312123450
ISBN13:9780312123451
Release Date:September 1994
Publisher:St. Martin's Griffin
Length:320 Pages
Weight:1.55 lbs.
Dimensions:0.8" x 6.8" x 9.6"
Customer Reviews
4 ratings
A New Look at An Old Mystery
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
John Noone deserves much credit for originality. His proposed solution to the riddle of the "Masked Man" is, without a doubt, the most ingenious (and darkly hilarious) theory to date. Like all the earlier "solutions" to the riddle of this unfortunate man's identity, his theory is based largely on conjecture, but the tale he spins is so outrageous and unexpected it is, curiously, the most convincing answer yet. I would love to see other "Maskologists" do their own research into Noone's theory to see if it could be either strengthened or refuted. Whether you personally find his conclusions compelling or not, the background information Noone relates, with its many peculiar twists and turns (such as the stories of the still-mysterious "James de la Cloche" and France's most unwelcome dinner guest, the Marquise de Brinvilliers,) make lively reading for anyone interested in history's more dark and perverse corners.
And the Iron Mask is....?
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
I found this to be a detailed look at just about every theory that has been expounded about the Iron Mask. The great part was reading each new guess, agreeing with the author on the possibilities, then realizing that it couldn't possibly be that person because Noone then demolishes the theory. Highly enjoyable, and a read that hopefully will put away the tiresome "Twin Brother of Louis XIV" theory for good.
Great writing but wrongo deductions
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
This is one of the most complete compendia of theories as to who was the Man in the Iron Mask. However, at the end, Noone totally negates all theories in favor of his own: that the MITIM was...well I will let you find out for yourselves. It is a silly end to a great book.The MITIM is one of the enduring mysteries of French History, in itself fascinating even without the secret that has been hidden for 350 years. Will someone ever solve it? Perhaps.
Did Dumas really know who the man in the iron mask was?
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
Excellent! This book is a must for anyone interested in the "Man in the Iron Mask". Mr. Noone reveals some very interesting theories and possibilities as to who the MITIM really is. I STRONGLY recommend it!
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