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Bezig met laden... Palmerston: The People's Darlingdoor James Chambers
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Meld je aan bij LibraryThing om erachter te komen of je dit boek goed zult vinden. Op dit moment geen Discussie gesprekken over dit boek. James Chambers has written a solid, thorough and readable biography of Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston. In his preface, he praises Palmerston’s career as having been long, entertaining and internationally influential, and states his intention to “embrace all that in one volume and at the same time reassess the man.” Given the length of Palmerston’s career, it is impressive that he manages to achieve his aim in little over 500 pages. Paying particular attention to his early years, Chambers focuses on Palmerston’s long political career, and portrays him as essentially an eighteenth century man, who became culturally out of step as the nineteenth century progressed. I found this biography to be accessible, well-written and authoritative: but being unfamiliar with previous works on Palmerston, I consulted the published reviews. The consensus among historians seems to be that it is an admirable achievement, but not particularly challenging, innovative or original. Based on this and my own sense that this is a very good but not brilliant book. geen besprekingen | voeg een bespreking toe
The outline of Palmerston's extraordinary career is well-known: his near forty years in Cabinet office, his lead in bringing the Crimean War to an end, his attempt to bluff Bismarck over Schleswig-Holstein. Also known is his swashbuckling, womanising reputation. But not explored until now are the powerful intellect, perception and subtle diplomacy that lay behind Palmerston's high-handed, blustering style, and which made him one of the most internationally influential statesman in British history. James Chambers pays particular attention to the politician's early years, showing how his 'scandalous' private life and his long, frustrating apprenticeship at the War Office played their parts in turning the different 'Lord Cupid' into the notoriously over-confident 'Lord Pumicestone'. Instinctive and headstrong, he horrified his Cabinet colleagues with his brinkmanship. The apparent champion of the underdog and a pioneer in the exploitation of public opinion, 'the people's darling' became England's most popular and powerful politician since the elder Pitt. Even at the end of his career, Palmerston retained the nonchalance that had epitomised the bucks and dandies of his Regency youth. H Geen bibliotheekbeschrijvingen gevonden. |
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Google Books — Bezig met laden... GenresDewey Decimale Classificatie (DDC)941.081092History and Geography Europe British Isles Historical periods of British Isles 1837- Period of Victoria and House of Windsor Victoria 1837-1901LC-classificatieWaarderingGemiddelde:
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