The Whig Revival: 1808-1830 (Studies in Modern History (Palgrave)) [Hardcover]

William Anthony Hay (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 140391771X | ISBN-13: 978-1403917713 | Publication Date: February 10, 2005

Between 1808 and 1830, the Whigs made a remarkable transition from opposition to office that highlights important trends in early 19th century Britain. The Whig Revival examines how a coalition between provincial interest groups and the parliamentary party established them as a viable governing party by 1830. Where earlier studies have focused on the Whigs experience in government or liberal reform movements, this work examines their years in opposition and how the struggle for power broadened the political nation beyond metropolitan elites.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Whig Party in the first three decades of the Nineteenth Century is a topic that has long cried out for a serious reappraisal...Now at last Hay has come to their rescue in a fine new history that fully appreciates their importance."--Richard W. Davis, Emeritus Professor of History, Washington University in St. Louis

"An incisive analysis of British political culture in the early nineteenth century that throws much light on the transformation from ancient régime to liberal Britain. Skillfully linking political ideas and practices, Hay's work is of major importance for our understanding of the nineteenth century political world in Britain."--Professor Jeremy Black, University of Exeter

"Scholarly, lucid and insightful, The Whig Revival offers an important reappraisal of the Whig party's wilderness years. This is political history of the highest level."--Dr. Amanda Foreman, Queen Mary College, London University

About the Author

William Anthony Hay is Assistant Professor of History at Mississippi State University and a Senior Fellow with the Foreign Policy Research Institute.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan (February 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 140391771X
• ISBN-13: 978-1403917713
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,587,539 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the prelude, November 21, 2005

By 

Paul Gottfried "basset man" (Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Whig Revival: 1808-1830 (Studies in Modern History (Palgrave)) (Hardcover)

Will Hay has produced an elegantly crafted and diligently researched study of the shaping of the Whig Party after the Napoleonic Wars into a modern political organization. What he has done is to pick a point and personality in British parliamentary history that have been largely overlooked in studies of this kind. And he has presented his arguments in the context of a much broader discussion of the evolution of British parliamentary government, from the first decade of the nineteenth century into the Whig ascendancy of the 1830s.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Work, November 23, 2005

By 

Nathan Gray - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Whig Revival: 1808-1830 (Studies in Modern History (Palgrave)) (Hardcover)

William Hay's work THE WHIG REVIVAL: 1808-1832 is a well-written political monograph. Hay chronicles the numerous setbacks faced by the Whig Party during the time period 1808-1832, including such things as public skepticism about the party's views on the war in France and uncertainty as to the stability of party leaders. He ably demonstrates how, despite the numerous setbacks faced by the party, and numerous defeats, the Whig Party eventually does come to power.

Democrats and Republicans both would do well to pay attention to the tenacity shown by Brougham and the Whigs. Anyone looking for a strong political history; a history of England in the late Georgian period; or a terrific treatment of Henry Brougham's career should read this book. As an aside, I have to echo other reviewers in their wish for Hay to write a biography of Brougham. Hay's attention to detail and mastery of writing will serve well in bringing this interesting character to life once again.