Introduction and Notes by Keith Wren, University of Kent at Canterbury A historical romance, The Three Musketeers tells the story of the early adventures of the young Gascon gentleman, D'Artagnan and his three friends from the regiment of the King's Musketeers - Athos, Porthos and Aramis. Under the watchful eye of their patron M. de Treville, the four defend the honour of the regiment against the guards of Cardinal Richelieu, and the honour of the queen against the machinations of the Cardinal himself as the power struggles of seventeenth century France are vividly played out in the background. But their most dangerous encounter is with the Cardinal's spy, Milady, one of literature's most memorable female villains, and Dumas employs all his fast-paced narrative skills to bring this enthralling novel to a breathtakingly gripping and dramatic conclusion
Aleandre Dumas' swashbuckling epic has embroidered upon history a colorful world of swordplay, intrigue and romance which earned this classic its reputation as the most thrilling adventure novel ever written.
Michael York has starred in countless films, including The Three Musketeers, The Four Musketeers, Romeo and Juliet, and the two Austin Powers boxoffice hits. He now performs again the story he has lived on screen.