Drawing on recent research, David Sturdy presents a concise and comparative analysis of the private and public careers of Richelieu and Mazarin. Several chapters are devoted to such central themes as the international government of France and the conduct of foreign policy, while others deal with the political strategies of the two men, the relations between the ministers and the crown, and the patronage which they exercised. The study concludes with an assessment of the historical significance of Richelieu and Mazarin.
