Ever since I was a kid, the story of the Man in the Iron Mask has fascinated me. P. L. Jacob’s book dives into this real-life enigma from the time of France’s Sun King, Louis XIV. It’s the ultimate historical whodunit (or rather, who-was-it).

The Story

The book explores the known facts: a prisoner was held in French fortresses like Pignerol and the Bastille from the 1660s until his death in 1703. His defining feature was the mask he was forced to wear—sometimes said to be iron, sometimes black velvet. Guards were forbidden to see his face or speak to him. Jacob sifts through the historical records and the wild theories that sprang up after the prisoner’s death. Was he a disgraced minister? A illegitimate brother of the king? The book walks you through each possibility, showing how the legend grew from a strange footnote into one of history’s greatest mysteries.

Why You Should Read It

What I love about this book is that it treats history like a puzzle. Jacob doesn’t just give you an answer; he shows you the clues. You get a real sense of the absolute power of the monarchy, where one man could simply make another disappear. The mystery forces you to think about identity, secrecy, and the lengths people will go to protect power. It’s less about dates and battles, and more about the human drama hidden in palace corridors and dark prison cells.

Final Verdict

This is a perfect pick for anyone who loves true historical mysteries, fans of Alexandre Dumas (who famously fictionalized the story), or readers who enjoy a ‘non-fiction thriller.’ It’s a relatively short, focused read that proves real history can be stranger and more compelling than any novel. Just be warned: you’ll probably finish it and immediately go down an internet rabbit hole looking for more theories!