William Pitt the Younger: A Biography - Softcover

Hague, William

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0007147201 ISBN 13: 9780007147205

Publisher: HarperPerennial, 2005

Synopsis

The award-winning biography of William Pitt the Younger by William Hague, the youngest leader of the Tory Party since Pitt himself.

William Pitt the Younger was one of the most extraordinary figures in British history. Prime minister at the age of twenty-four, he went on to dominate British politics for two decades, presiding over such complex and treacherous national crises as the madness of King George III, the beleaguered union with Ireland, the fallout from the French Revolution and the trauma of the Napoleonic Wars.

With the keen eye of an experienced politician, William Hague examines the enigmatic life and tumultuous times of a man capable of both wit and arrogance, economic genius and financial mismanagement. A rich cast of characters and a vivid backdrop of global conflict make this riveting biography of Pitt the Younger compulsive reading.

About this title

Review:

‘A shrewd political biography and a sensitive portrait of one of our most enigmatic heroes.’ Simon Sebag Montefiore

‘One of the most enjoyable biographies for years...if you buy only one political biography this year, make it the one.’ John Major

‘A first-class work of history; informative, well written and captivating.’ The Times

‘What makes the book such an engrossing and stimulating read is the author’s passion for and understanding of politics.’ Sunday Times

‘A weighty and scholarly biography...the empathy, indeed the identification of subject with author, is remarkable. Hague deserves an accolade...he has written a serious, detailed and thoughtful study of one of Britain's greatest prime ministers.’ Shirley Williams, Guardian

‘Truly fine...The need for a distinguished, readable, single-volume work has long been recognised. William Hague has now triumphantly filled this gap.’ Scotsman

‘Narrated with a finely attuned sense of the politically dramatic.’ Andrew Roberts, Evening Standard

‘A reliable and readable account of an unusual politician and a tragic life.’ Spectator

‘A fascinating account.’ Christopher Foyle, Mail on Sunday

From the Back Cover:

William Pitt The Younger was one of the most extraordinary figures in British history, who became Prime Minister in 1783 at the remarkable age of twenty-four. In this lively and authoritative biography, William Hague explains the dramatic events and exceptional abilities which allowed extreme youth to be combined with great power.

Pitt was derided as a ‘schoolboy’ when he took office. Yet within months he had outwitted his opponents, and he went on to dominate the political scene for twenty-two years (nineteen of them as Prime Minister). No British politician since has exercised such supremacy for so long.

Generally thought to be cold and aloof, Pitt was described by friends as the wittiest man they ever knew. William Hague succeeds in explaining Pitt’s actions and motives during a series of great national crises, including the trauma of the Napoleonic wars. He describes how a man dedicated to peace became Britain’s longest-serving war leader, how Pitt the liberal reformer became Pitt the author of repression, and how – though undisputed master of the nation’s finances – he died with vast personal debts.

With its rich cast of characters, and set against a backdrop of industrial revolution and global conflict, this is history at its most riveting.

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperPerennial
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0007147201
• ISBN 13: 9780007147205
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 706