17 FEBRUARY 1996, page 29

Books

A princess surrounded by enemies Philip Hensher AN UNCOMMON WOMAN by Hannah Pakula Weidenfeld, £20, pp. 700 T he word tragedy should not be used lightly about historical events;......

Your Pearl In Your Foul Oyster

Michael Levey ITALY: THE UNFINISHED REVOLUTION by Matt Frei Sinclair-Stevenson, £20, pp. 290 R equired reading for every intelligent visitor to Italy, and for intelligent lovers......