Louis Philippe I gained power on August 9, 1830, when the French National Assembly declared him Louis-Philippe I, King of the French. He ruled from 1830 until February 24, 1848, when he abdicated in favor of his grandson, Louis Philippe D"Orleans, the author of the book "History of the Civil War in America" which is recently reprinted by Ishi Press in four volumes. ISBN 4871873501, 4871873528, 4871873536 and 4871873544. Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870) was one of the most famous and prolific authors of all time. He is best known in the English speaking world for "The Three Musketeers" , "The Count of Monte Cristo", and "The Man in the Iron Mask". However, he wrote dozens of other works. Dumas had every reason to write this book, as he personally knew and supported Louis Philippe, King of the French.