While reading The Splendid Century, I was struck by the uncanny amount of similarities between two seemingly unrelated kings; Henry III and Louis XIV. Although they had remarkably similar childhoods, their lives took shape as diversely as possible. Both kings were orphaned at a very young age, at a desperate time for their countries. They were needed to fix the problems their predecessors had so foolishly created. Being put under similar circumstances, their kingdoms were …showed first 75 words of 799 total…

…showed last 75 words of 799 total…was defeated. Henry and Louis were born with the same opportunities; they both could have became remarkable kings. The choices they made decided their destinies. Two children with the same natures and the same upbringings became two completely different men. The only possible reason is based upon the decisions they made. We have to realize that our futures are based upon the choices we make throughout our lives, regardless of our backgrounds, temperaments or lifestyles.