Disraeli (Lost Treasures Series) [Paperback]

Robert Blake (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1998 | Series: Lost Treasures Series

Originally published in 1966 by Eyre and Spottiswood a biography of the great Conservative leader and Prime Minister. Disraeli was an unusual man to be Prime Minister and was reknowned for his close relationship with Queen Victoria and his rivalry with Gladstone. In the LOST TREASURES series.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

"Robert Blake's biography is a triumph and may justly be pronounced a classic," beamed LJ's reviewer (LJ 2/1/67). Blake is triumphant on two levels: he sets the record straight on his subject's true political leanings, and he puts Disraeli's "unusual literary career into critical and historical perspective." A solid purchase for any biography collection.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Robert Blake (1916-2003) was the pre-eminent Tory historian of his day. In addition to his masterpiece, his biography of Disraeli, his books include Bonar Law: The Unknown Prime Minister, The Conservative Party from Peel to John Major and a volume in the Paladin History of England, (a series which he edited), The Decline of Power, 1915-1964. These and Disraeli's Grand Tour are all being reissued in Faber Finds. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 819 pages
• Publisher: Prion Books (April 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1853752754
• ISBN-13: 978-1853752759
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.2 x 2.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,515,183 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Robert Blake Does Not Disappoint, July 10, 2000

By 

KTuttle18 (Des Moines, IA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Disraeli (Lost Treasures Series) (Paperback)

Robert Blake's study of Benjamin Disreali, twice Prime Minister and prolific novelist, is one of the best I've read. Both Disreali's personal life and political career are handled with respect, and there is no unnecessary conjecture to mislead the reader. The resulting biography is both fascinating and informative, advancing chronologically from Disreali's parentage to his death and detailing the aspects of his personality and the extraordinary good luck that enabled him to rise so far in the British political system. Throughout, the reader is offered anecdotes from acquaintances, excerpts from letters, and portions of the speeches that gave Disreali his reputation as a matchless orator. Particularly touching are the stories illustrating the friendship he and his sister shared, and the mannerisms which characterized his personality. Overall, Robert Blake displays great knowledge of both Disreali and the politics that he loved so much. Therein lies the book's only fault, from an amateur's perspective; at times the references to the system can confuse a reader not fully familiar with British politics. However, any admirer of this great statesman cannot afford to miss reading this work, which already shows signs of becoming a necessary reference. Any historian, amateur or not, could easily view this volume as indispensable.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dizzy he was not, March 24, 2003

By 

M. A Newman (Alexandria, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Disraeli (Clarendon Biographies) (Paperback)

During the high tide of the Victorian era, the political life of the nation was dominated by two men, Disraeli and Gladstone. Gladstone is an obvious choice for one of the top statesmen of the era, he was elected four times to the premiership. Disraeli was not quite so fortunate. However, given the short period of time that he was in office he accomplished a great deal. He brought the tories back from the dead, passed a reform bill and managed to acquire the Suez Canal. At the Congress of Berlin, Disraeli's command of the situation even impressed Bismark (not exactly a slouch in these sorts of things). Not bad from a rather foppish young man who specialized in "Silver Fork" novels (a fictional version of lifestyles of the rich and famous in the 19th century).

Blake's book is the best one on the subject of Benjamin Disraeli. The complex story of the novelist turned politican is brought out in all of its facets. Disraeli was probably one of the most interesting people to be prime minister (after perhaps Churchill and Walpole) and Blake's book shows the reader how he did it.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Perfect Biography, June 14, 2002

By 

A. Keenmind - See all my reviews

This review is from: Disraeli (Lost Treasures Series) (Paperback)

Blake's Disraeli is not only flawless in its interpretation of Disraeli but also in its style. It is a work by which all other biographies must be judged. Simply put, it is the perfect biography.