&quot;The Black Tulip&quot;, written by Alexandre Dumas and published in 1850, is a historical novel placed in the time of Tulipmania in the Netherlands. The novel begins with the 1672 politically motivated mob lynching of the de Witt brothers. A masterful retelling of one of the most infamous incidents in Dutch history, &ldquo;The Black Tulip&rdquo; is not to be missed by fans of historical fiction.&nbsp;<br /><br />The novel follows the story of Cornelius van Baerle, godson of Cornelius de Witt. Cornelius von Baerle, a respectable tulip-grower, lives only to cultivate the elusive black tulip and win a magnificent prize for its creation. But after his powerful godfather is assassinated, the unwitting Cornelius becomes caught up in deadly political intrigue and is falsely accused of high treason by a bitter rival. Condemned to life imprisonment, his only comfort is Rosa, the jailer&#39;s beautiful daughter, and together they concoct a plan to grow the black tulip in secret.&nbsp;<br /><br />Dumas&#39; last major historical novel is a tale of romantic love, jealousy and obsession.