This book was like a diamond ring in a paper bag. It’s full of fascinating history and incredible lives but they are delivered in frustrating fashion. I was drawn in because Alexandre Dumas’ exciting literary adventures were largely based upon his father’s real life derring-do—that his father was the product of a French Nobleman and an African slave added spice to the mix. Toss in a slave rebellion, the rise of Napoleon, the French revolution, invading Italy and North Africa and there is a lot to fascinate. However repeated author intrusions detailing his research breaks the spell. While many of his research stories were interesting—they were unwelcome intrusions best left to an introduction or addendum. Significant portions of the bio are based on conjecture by the author or confabulation by the subject’s adoring son so the sharpness of focus fades in and out. The result was an inconsistent narrative and when I doubted the veracity of what I was reading I struggled as a reader. Perhaps this subject would have been better served as narrative non-fiction where there is more forgiveness for creative details. I wanted to give this five stars because of the fascinating subject and research but also one star for the squandered opportunities—so I settled on three.