In March of 1844, the Parisian paper The Century began publishing installments of a new tale by Frances favorite author, Alexandre Dumas. Week after week readers thrilled to the adventures of the brave and clever dArtagnan and his loyal comrades. Collected for book publication at the end of that year, and quickly translated into a dozen languages, The Three Musketeers was a worldwide sensationnowhere more so than in the United States. Citizens of the brash new republic recognized kindred spirits in the bold musketeers, and the book and its sequels found an eager American readership.

The novel's fast-moving story is set in the royal court of Louis XIII, where the swaggering Kings Musketeers square off against their rivals: the crimson-clad Guards of the dreaded Cardinal Richelieu. The Red Duke rules France with an iron hand in the name of King Louisand of Queen Anne, who dares a secret love affair with Frances enemy, Englands Duke of Buckingham. Into this royal intrigue leaps the brash dArtagnan, a young swordsman from the provinces determined to find fame and fortune in Paris. Bold and clever, in no time the youth finds himself up to his Gascon neck in adventure, while earning the enduring friendship of the greatest comrades in literature, the Three Musketeers: noble Athos, sly Aramis, and the giant, good-hearted Porthos.

Now from Lawrence Ellsworth, acclaimed translator of The Red Sphinx, comes a new rendition of The Three Musketeers for a new century, one that captures anew the excitement, humor, and spirit of Alexandre Dumass greatest novel of historical adventure. Whether youre meeting the musketeers for the first time or discovering them all over again, its all for one, one for all, in this timeless tale of honor and glory, the flash of dark eyes, and the clash of bright steel.