I'd recommend you read "The Black Count" by Tom Reiss. It's a non-fiction biography of Alexandre Dumas's father, the inspiration for The Count of Monte Cristo.

I'd recommend you read "The Black Count" by Tom Reiss. It's a non-fiction biography of Alexandre Dumas's father, the inspiration for The Count of Monte Cristo. It holds the same luster of the 19th century while giving you a factual recount of some larger than life figures.