Customer Reviews

Our Tempestuous Day: A History of Regency England

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Tempestuous indeed! I could not put this book down. This is a very readable historical narrative set in England during the Regency Period from 1810 to 1820. Erickson paints a very vivid picture of the chaotic times in which George IV ruled as Regent while his father King George III declined into madness at Windsor, alongside the already troublesome war with Napoleon, social unrest, and economic uncertainty.

I don't qualify as any part of an expert historian, but I do read a bit of it. I have read other of Erickson's side by side (as it were) with other authors works covering the same era. Erickson, as best as I can tell, is solid.

That said, her prose, while more than adequate, is not as riveting as Doris Kearns Goodwin; hardly a huge complaint.

This book was, for me, fascinating. First, all the nonsense about George III that I was taught in grade school was set straight. Americans are fed as much propaganda as the Soviets ever were. (That comment is not based on this book alone; just bolstered by it.)Second, I had a good bit of the politics filled in which made a bit more sense of my college 18th Century Literature class from ever so many years ago. Finally, the author takes us into the ninteenth century including a good bit of background on Lord Byron. Erickson leads us through the swing from what might be called libertine-ism into the religious mania that resulted in the Victorian (double) standards of behavior.

Very good stuff.

I enjoyed reading this book about Regency England. It gave a good account of the reign of George IV, but read like novel!!

This is as well researched as can be and as well written as non-fiction must be. Some things are not a hundred percent accurate but rather minor. If you are interested in the period this is a must.