One of the most famous men of 18th-century France began life as the much-loved son of a slave and a wealthy plantation owner. Joseph de Bologne, or the Chevalier de Saint-George, moved to Paris at the age of eight, then was schooled as an aristocrat. The handsome biracial boy grew up to be a champion fencer, a musician/conductor/composer worthy of royal patronage, and a military commander during the French Revolution. Sadly, this man, whose musical talents earned him the nickname “the other Mozart,” fell into obscurity for almost two centuries, but recently his music and many accomplishments have been brought to light. This engaging biography recounts his changing fortunes as he struggled for dignity amid racism and political mayhem.

Not only does author Hugh Brewster (former editor at Madison Press) chronicle Saint-George’s life with appropriate pacing and detail for the designated age range, he includes timelines, sidebars, and archival material documenting the people and events that influenced this remarkable man – Marie Antoinette, Haydn, and Robespierre. The author’s note, bibliography, and list of recommended CDs extend the book’s scope. Although this is clearly a well-researched biography, Brewster’s language entertains like that of a fairy tale, befitting the larger-than-life exploits and achievements of this hero.

The paintings of Eric Velasquez blend well with the book’s many reproductions of period etchings and paintings, and an original portrait of Saint-George graces the title page. Velasquez uses warm hues but freezes his subject in moments of high drama – Saint-George parrying in an intense fencing match, or with baton raised to inspire his orchestra, or crouching dejected in a prison cell. Altogether, this is an attractive book with the right balance of text and visuals; both author and illustrator have done a good job of illuminating an exciting time in history. More than anything, though, this is the story of an individual’s triumph over adversity.