George I (The English Monarchs Series) (Paperback)

by Ragnhild Hatton (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
In 1714 George Ludwig, the fifty-eight-year-old elector of Brunswick- Luneburg, became, as George I, the first of the Hanoverian dynasty to rule Britain. Until his death in 1727 George served as both elector of Hanover and British monarch. An enigmatic figure whose real character has long been concealed by anti-Hanoverian propaganda, George emerges in this groundbreaking biography as an impressive ruler who welcomed the responsibilities the accession brought him and set out to bring culture to what he considered the unsophisticated English nation.

Ragnhild Hatton's biography is the only comprehensive account of George's life and reign. It draws on a wide range of archival sources in several languages to illuminate the fascinating details of George's early life and dynastic crises, his plans and ambitions for the British nation, the impact of his rationalist ideas, and his accomplishments as king. The book also examines the king's private life, his family relationships in both Prussia and England, his private interest in music and the arts, and the improvement of his British and Hanoverian properties.

From the Publisher
Yale English Monarchs Series

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Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press (June 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300088833
• ISBN-13: 978-0300088830
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #659,700 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear, lucid, entertaining, April 9, 2002

By	Alexandra Nenuphar (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews

The author's writing style is easy to follow, without being simplistic and her grasp of the historical issues of the period is excellent.

She presents a great deal of information about the women involved in the history of George, which is unusual for a historian of the Hanovers.

The book is approachable without an in-depth knowledge of the German principalities (though this obviously helps).

Solidly recommended.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A British King who knew more than just German., June 15, 2005

By	Shawn Marchinek "MacIain of Colvile" (Texas USA) - See all my reviews

I read a Hard back copy from the local library and could not believe it. I loved this bio. I have read many other biographies and books on the Stuart and Hanover Dynasties of Britain but most were from Charles II and the pretenders and George III through Victoria. George I seems to be remembered as the British King who really didn't care; He took his time accepting the throne, refused to learn English, ran away to Hanover every chance he got and only wanted English money proven by the South Sea Bubble scandal. This book gives us more. A lot more. It shows the who and why, it dispels the stories I have listed above and gives us the man, flesh, blood and emotions. He becomes a real and more understood human than just an uncaring figure from history. I highly recommend this book. It is a great read. I didn't want to put it down. It flows easy and gives enough detail and background to keep you moving through history and his life without bogging you down. All those, Jacobites included :) who do not know George I outside of the usual should read this book. I can't say enough about it.