<DIV>Consort to Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria, Elizabeth of Bavaria was a modern woman who fled the confines of Habsburg to roam free—she fancied dangerous riding, sailing, and poetry—but her life ended with her assassination in 1896. “Makes us feel the impact of her beauty as well as the fatal egotism which led to unhappiness, restlessness, and futility.”—<i>Elizabeth Harvey</i>. “Well documented and illustrated...a grand and fascinating tale.”—<i>Brian Aldiss</i><br></div>