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George IV (The English Monarchs Series) Paperback – February 1, 2001
| E. A. Smith (Author) Find all the books, read about the author, and more. See search results for this author |
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Smith explores the roots of the king’s character and personality, stressing the importance of his relationship with his parents and twelve surviving siblings. He examines the king’s important contributions to the cultural enhancement of his capital and his encouragement of the major artistic, literary, and scholarly figures of his time. He reassesses the king’s role as constitutional monarch, contending that it was he, rather than Victoria and Albert, who created the constitutional monarchy of nineteenth-century Britain and began the revival of its popularity. Smith’s biography not only illuminates the character of one of the most colorful of Britain’s rulers but also contributes to the history of the British monarchy and its role in the nation’s life.
- Print length320 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherYale University Press
- Publication dateFebruary 1, 2001
- Dimensions6.14 x 0.7 x 9.21 inches
- ISBN-109780300088021
- ISBN-13978-0300088021
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"Smith's . . . sympathetic account portrays a king's grand indulgences as decorative flourishes of a darker political era." -- Kirkus Review
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Product details
- ASIN : 0300088027
- Publisher : Yale University Press; New edition (February 1, 2001)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 320 pages
- ISBN-10 : 9780300088021
- ISBN-13 : 978-0300088021
- Item Weight : 1.12 pounds
- Dimensions : 6.14 x 0.7 x 9.21 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #913,966 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,759 in Royalty Biographies
- #2,068 in Historical British Biographies
- #6,885 in Great Britain History (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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N.B.: at times the narrative can become a little heavy to the massive amount of superficial details that may not interest the general reader. However, they only add to the greater picture of presenting George as a man of his own time, focusing on particular in the political upheaval of that period.
George IV seems to have been a man of wild emotional extremes; prone to `extravagance rather than generosity' as observed Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. His wild behaviour over Maria Fitzherbert, his effusive speech, his extravagant and overblown gestures, both political and personal, all colour his real achievements. This was a difficult century for monarchs, with the American War of Independence, the French Revolution, unrest on the European continent, and the push for reform with the advent of industrialism and the middle classes at home. For the author, the major achievement of George was his importance in the preservation of the status and constitutional importance of the Crown in British politics.
The confusing and often contradictory politics of the time are explained very clearly; there are some aspects of George's life which I felt the author could have perhaps spent a bit more time on (even if the book ended up being appreciably longer). But this in no way detracts from the delight of the book, which writes empathetically yet realistically of George, his life and his reign. In all, George "was not a strong character but he was not a bad one." Highly recommended.
It reads really well, with chronological chapters addressing issues of personal relationships, political circumstances and acquaintances, artistic patronage, family and educational background...
It may be confusing at times as chapters at the crossroads of chronological and thematic approaches overlap and mention events happening after and before events mentioned earlier on in the book.
The book contains an insert of several pages in glossy paper with black and white reproductions of paintings and artworks representing likenesses of George IV and his lovers, and significant places he got involved with for refurbishments.
Well recommended.
A very enjoyable read. I sourced a hardback second hand and was very happy with service and condition.

