Edmund Burke: Volume I: 1730-1784 [Hardcover]

F. P. Lock (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0198206763 | ISBN-13: 978-0198206767 | Publication Date: April 8, 1999

This is the first full, scholarly biography of Burke for over a generation, to be completed in two volumes. The first volume covers the years between 1730-1784, and describes his Irish upbringing and education, early writing, and his parliamentary career throughout the momentous years of the American War of Independence.

Editorial Reviews

Review

`Burke's story is well and sympathetically told in this volume. In addition, the telling is gracefully and clearly written and is adorned by the Clarendon Press with an excellent job of presentation and editing.' American Historical Review (Oct, 2000)

`Lock's analyses are well reasoned, coherent, forcefully expressed, and faithful to the social and political context of the time' American Historical Review (Oct, 2000)

`If the second volume lives up to the first, I am confident that this biography will stand for some time as one of the most authoritative and useful sources for Burkean scholars, for students seeking information on some area of Burke's life and career, and for general readers alike.' American Historical Review (Oct, 2000)

`Despite Carl B. Cone's volumes (1957, 1964), written at an early stage of modern Burke scholarship, we have lacked a heavyweight scholarly biography wholly immune from these imperatives. This Lock triumphantly provides in a work of careful research and scrupulous attention to detail.' J.C.D. Clark, EHR Sept. 00 Vol. 115, No.463.

`Lock ... offers a detailed and insightful account of Burke's parliamentary career, his relations with his constituencies and his financial dealings.' J.C.D. Clark, EHR Sept. 00 Vol. 115, No.463.

`a work of balanced judgement and painstaking research. F.P. Lock has produced the first volume of what will undoubtedly be the standard modern biography.' J.C.D. Clark, EHR Sept. 00 Vol. 115, No.463.

`This new biography will be indispensable for much future study relating to Burke.' Letters in Canada 1998

`a work of admirable scholarship and one of the most important books ever written about Burke. Lock's mastery of both a diverse body of archival sources and the vast multidisciplinary range of secondary material relating to Burke is unequalled.' Letters in Canada

`careful scholarship and general readability. The book abounds with numerous apt quotations, pleasing contemporary comparisions and thought-provoking insights ... a wonderful compendium of information on Burke's life and times ... a handsome volume ... well illustrated.' Stephen Farrell, Parliamentary History,Vol.19,No.2.

`Lock has cast his biography across an extensive sweep of terrain with considerable skill.' Stephen Farrell, Parliamentary History,Vol.19,No.2.

About the Author

F. P Lock is a Professor of English at Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 616 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (April 8, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198206763
• ISBN-13: 978-0198206767
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,451,307 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Balanced and thorough, biography as it should be, March 19, 2002

By 

Frank Lynch "frank_lynch" (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Edmund Burke: Volume I: 1730-1784 (Hardcover)

Of the various styles of biographies I've read, I think I prefer what Lock has achieved here. It's definitely not the kind of page-turner which Robert Caro delivers, nor is it heavily weighed down with details such as De La Grange has given us with Gustav Mahler. Instead, Lock gives us intelligently written background surrounding the issues and people as they arise; judicious use of Burke's letters (and letters to him) as well as his writings; and details that help bring the era to life. He also brings the themes together, which means the telling is not a simple chronology. Lock gives us all sides of Burke, too: not just the politician and the family man, but the brother and the farmer. What I also like about this book is that Lock does not hesitate to criticize Burke when his behavior is less than ethical or when Burke's arguments are disingenuous. It's a critical examination, and Lock doesn't dumb it down. (I can't wait for volume 2, although my checkbook can.)

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book on A Great Man, February 15, 2000

By 

Simon James (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Edmund Burke: Volume I: 1730-1784 (Hardcover)

This will become the standard biography of Burke - but this book is not just for scholars: anyone with an interest in 18th century politics and culture will benefit from reading this work. The narrative is well written, with much detail and necessary (but not too basic) background detail; overall it keeps the reader's interest. Burke's own works are analysed thoroughly, within the framework of his life.