The author presents Louis as the personification of a glorious era in which architecture, painting, sculpture, and literature flourished. "The King's activities in war and politicsa re relegated to the periphery. While the complex figure of Louis himself occupies the center of the state, Mr. Cronin studies ... such figures as Racine, Moliere, Lully, Mignard, Mansart, Le Notre, Vauban, Cassini."

"Sources and notes": p. 355-371.