Wellington a Personal History - Hardcover

Hibbert, Christopher

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0246138157 ISBN 13: 9780246138156

Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers, 1997

Synopsis

This single volume study of Wellington's life and times is based on modern research. Wellington achieved fame as a soldier fighting the Mahratta in India. His later brilliant generalship fighting the French in Spain was rewarded by a dukedom and a grant from the house of Commons which would today be worth some #8 million. After his defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo he embarked on his second career as a politician. He was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the army for life, became Prime Minister in 1827 and a byword for High Toryism while presiding over the emancipation of Roman Catholics and the formation of the country's first police force. Unhappily married, he had several mistresses and many intimate friendships with women.

About this title

Review:

The Iron Duke (1769-1852), Napoleon's greatest antagonist, finally ended his global ambitions at the battle of Waterloo in 1815. British historian Christopher Hibbert cogently chronicles Wellington's achievements as a military strategist and Tory prime minister, but his probing biography is even more notable for its shrewd and subtle assessment of the duke's layered personality. Famous for his sardonic wit and towering temper, an indifferent husband and severe father, forbiddingly aloof yet capable of enormous charm, Wellington the private man is as fascinating as the public one in this smoothly written, solidly researched account.

About the Author:

Christopher Hibbert was described by Professor Sir John Plumb as a `writer of the highest ability' & by the New Statesman as `a pearl of biographers'. He is our leading popular historian whose works reflect meticulous scholarship. His much-acclaimed books include (in addition to those above) THE DeSTRUCTION OF LORD RAGLAN, THE COURT AT WINDSOR, LONDON and ROME: BIOGRAPHY OF A CITY, THE RISE AND FALL OF THE HOUSE OF MEDICI etc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0246138157
• ISBN 13: 9780246138156
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 480