The Pain and the Privilege: The Women in Lloyd George’s Life - Hardcover

Hague, Ffion

4.12

32 ratings by Goodreads

9780007219490: The Pain and the Privilege: The Women in Lloyd George’s Life

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0007219490 ISBN 13: 9780007219490

Publisher: HarperPress, 2008

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‘Men’s lives are a perpetual conflict. The life that I have mapped out will be so especially – as lawyer and politician. Woman’s function is to pour oil on the wounds – to heal the bruises of spirit...and to stimulate to renewed exertion.’

Lloyd George was a man who loved women and the tale of his intertwined relationships contains many mysteries and a few unsolved intrigues. He was involved in a divorce case, fought two libel cases over his private life, and had persuaded the prettiest girl in Criccieth to be his wife. Lloyd George’s life was indeed a ‘perpetual conflict’. He was a habitual womaniser and despite his early, enduring attachement to Margaret Owen, marriage did not curb his behaviour. There were many private scandals in a life devoted to public duty.

Ffion Hague illuminates his complex attitude to women. Her own interest stems from the many parallels in her own life.

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Review:

‘A riveting narrative examination of the dynamic between a man, his mistress, his wife and his daughter. Played out behind the doors of Downing Street, it throws light on the depth of ambition of one of the 20th century's great political machinators...a fascinating story.’ The Times

‘Well–researched and thoughtfully written...she tells the story ably and entertainingly.’ Evening Standard

‘Rather than producing an embellished list of the miserable women who knew Lloyd George, Hague has given us a biography of Lloyd George himself in which a great deal of thought has gone into the business of what it was like to be him and what it was like to have him.’ Daily Telegraph

‘An engaging portrait...an absorbing read.’ Guardian

‘Well-researched and thoughtfully written.’ Scotsman

‘Hague has much to bring to the task of recovering their stories including her knowledge of the Welsh language and culture, an accessible style, and a sympathetic appreciation of "the pain and the privilege" of being married to a prominent politician...compelling.’ Literary Review

‘This well written and intelligent book...tells an involving, multifarious and often poignant tale. It describes to the tee in the process a particular type of man - egomaniacal, brilliant, sexually unscrupulous and crazily risk-taking - frequently found in politics.’ Sam Leith, Spectator

‘Lloyd George's sexual energy was one aspect of his all-purpose dynamism...Ffion Hague's gracefully written and well organised book shows the public face of power as well as the libido burrowing its way through the petticoats.’

Daily Telegraph:

"...Hague has given us a biography of Lloyd George himself...a wise and measured assessment."

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