Lloyd George: The People's Champion, 1902-1911 - Hardcover

Grigg, John.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0413326209 ISBN 13: 9780413326201

Publisher: Eyre Methuen, 1978

Synopsis

John Grigg's four volume life of Lloyd George is one of the great political biographies. Volume 2, The People's Champion 1902-1911, in the author's own words 'carries the story on to the zenith of his whole career before the Great War. By the end of 1911 he had already achieved far more than be claimed for most politicians in a lifetime. . . . The period covered here is one of intense controversy and acrimony, in which Lloyd George's speeches attacking the Conservative Party and its lordly backers are among the finest examples of polemical oratory in the English language.' The central drama is the constitutional conflict surrounding Lloyd George's 1909 Budget, the People's Budget, which was such a powerful tool of social reform. There is much more besides, not least vivid portrayals of his relations with Asquith and Winston Churchill. The latter, again in John Grigg's own words 'was Lloyd George's closest colleague in two ways: they worked together on major reforming projects, and both were men of genius. .. .They also enjoyed each other's company and had a strong affinity of temperament. '

This volume won the Whitbread Prize.

It is a tragedy John Grigg didn't live to complete his magnum opus but what exists is a masterpiece. Faber Finds is reissuing the four volumes: The Young Lloyd George, Lloyd George: The People's Champion 1902-1911, Lloyd George: From Peace to War 1912-1916, Lloyd George: War Leader 1916-1918.

'A delight to read and a contribution to our political history of the greatest importance. Above all, it does justice to David Lloyd George, the greatest British statesman of the twentieth century.' A. J. P. Taylor, Observer

'John Grigg is a biographer who loves his subject and captures him with artistry - a pleasure to read. He has given us the most intimate and subtly drawn portrait we have ever had of this remarkable man.' Paul Addison, New Statesman

'The book succeeds admirably. Its proportions are exactly right, and it is written with a dynamism worthy of its subject.' Stephen Koss, Times Literary Supplement

'A masterly biography ... .. it is unlikely that it will be superseded.' Robert Blake, Sunday Times

About this title

Review:

‘John Grigg is a biographer who loves his subject and captures him with artistry – a pleasure to read. He has given us the most intimate and subtly drawn portrait we have ever had of this remarkable man’
Paul Addison, New Statesman

From the Back Cover:

This second volume of John Grigg’s highly acclaimed biography of Lloyd George, describes the career of David Lloyd George from 1902 to 1911 – the most exciting and fruitful phase of his life before the outbreak of the First World War.

It was during these years that Lloyd George developed from being the liveliest of Opposition back benchers to the most dynamic and controversial member of a great Liberal government. The central drama is the constitutional conflict surrounding Lloyd George’s 1909 Budget, but there are many fascinating sub plots including his difficulties with the suffragettes and with several individual women. It is an extraordinarily vivid portrait of the outstanding figure of the Edwardian age.

“John Grigg is a biographer who loves his subject and captures him with artistry – a pleasure to read. He has given us the most intimate and subtly drawn portrait we have ever had of this remarkable man.”
PAUL ADDISON, 'New Statesman'

“A masterly biography ... it is unlikely that it will be superseded.”
ROBERT BLAKE, 'Sunday Times'

“The book succeeds admirably. Its proportions are exactly right, and it is written with a dynamism worthy of its subject.”
STEPHEN KOSS, 'Times Literary Supplement'

“Lloyd George has had many biographers, and undoubtedly John Grigg is the brightest, best – and most thorough.”
ASA BRIGGS, 'Guardian'

About this edition

• Publisher: Eyre Methuen
• Publication date: 1978
• ISBN 10: 0413326209
• ISBN 13: 9780413326201
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1