So often I read reviews about historical books that suggest they are interesting, only to buy them and discover they are as interesting as the text on a shampoo bottle. What a drag.

This book is not only fascinating, but it's written with a unique sense of play & wit. Sorta like a series of riveting tawdry "National Enquirer" accounts told with intelligence & serious historical analysis, but by a blue-jeaned historian sitting with her stocking feet propped up on the coffee table, all while holding a highball. The author delivered a lot of off-stage winks toward her audience and tongue-in-cheek wit as she paraded these characters across the stage. Who knew history could be this much fun? I loved it! Anyone with a sense of play who enjoys serious history or well-written historical fiction should consider this book and its sister book, "Sex with the Queen." I learned a great deal not only about royal family dynamics within & outside the institution of marriage, but the varied responses of women toward power.

P.S. The narrative didn't bother me a bit. I guess I have a hard time keeping track of historical events, but when it comes to naughtiness & colorful characters, it's a breeze!

If history teachers included a book like "Sex with Kings" on their class reading lists, they'd probably be rewarded with a slew of overeager students! Eleanor Herman's book is basically a summary of the art of being a royal mistress. Many different illicit royal relationships are covered in the book, from King David and Bathsheba to Charles and Camilla. Rather than just compile a biography of famous mistresses in history, Herman dives into the specific qualities that made a mistress successful. In order to make a decent living as a royal mistresses, not only did women have to know how to please a king in bed, but they also had to orchestrate a lot of other maneuvers as well: provide intellectual conversation, riveting entertainment, indulgence in the king's boring hobbies and stories, etc. Additionally, a good mistress would figure out ways to "save for retirement." Since most mistresses would inevitably be tossed out on their rear ends when the king tired of them or a younger, prettier woman came along, it was imperative that royal mistresses secure their financial futures by keeping lots of cash on hand, acquiring land and titles, and having as many illegitimate children as possible.

"Sex with Kings" is crammed with so many over-the-top stories that at first glance, this book could easily be mistaken as fiction. However, everything that is documented in the book actually happened and is backed up with Herman's meticulous research. I encourage everyone to read this book: history buffs will love it and non-history buffs will probably love it even more...who knew history could be so scandalous (and just plain naughty)?!

I was rather disappointed in this book. It was not well organized at all. Too much time is given to the same kings (Louis XIV and Charles II) and mistresses and the book jumps all over the place in general, which is a major distraction. I can't believe she spent so little time on Edward VII, arguably one of the most randy kings in history. The barest mention is made of any king prior to Charles II. And there is hardly any mention of Russian Czars and their mistresses. Her follow-up book, "Sex with the Queen", is MUCH better. She put that book in chronological order, which I think would have served this material much better. It would indeed have been interesting to see the development of the mistress' powers throughout the centuries. This book is OK, but not the page-turner it could have been. Do yourself a favor and buy "Sex with the Queen" instead.

This would be an interesting book if only it were not so disorganized. It also repeats itself. The author would have served the reader by laying out her interesting material better. If this book had been arranged chronilogicaly or even by chapters like "The Greedy Mistresses", The Suffering Queens" etc....Anything would be better than the way this book just loops and loops around. It is often unclear who she is talking about because she jumps around ( through time and through kings ) so often. An editor should have arranged this book into a more readable order. A pity!