Duel - Softcover

Landale, James

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1841958220 ISBN 13: 9781841958224

Publisher: Canongate Books Ltd, 2006

Synopsis

In 1826 a merchant called David Landale shot dead his bank manager in what was one of Britain's last recorded fatal duels. Two centuries later, newly discovered legal archives have made it possible for one of his descendents, James Landale, to reconstruct this duel and the circumstances surrounding it. With painstaking detail, Duel gives fresh insight into why two rational, educated human beings in the 1820s might choose to resolve a dispute by shooting at one another. Landale also tells the story of duelling itself, explaining where it came from, and why it suddenly lost its social legitimacy in the middle of the 19th century. Above all, Duel grippingly explains why this curious thing called honour drove so many young men to death.

About this title

Review:

"BUY IT! ...an absorbing book." -- Daily Mirror

"Gripping, unusual and splendidly-written. -- Andrew Marr

"This is a riveting account of fascinating historical events". -- Gordon Brown

From the Back Cover:

Duel

"Compelling, colourful and entertaining." Simon Sebag Montefiore

In 1826, a merchant called David Landale shot his bank manager dead in a duel. Two centuries later, one of his descendants, James Landale, explains why two rational, educated men chose to resolve a dispute by shooting at one another. He tells the story of duelling and shows how this curious thing called honour drove so many young men to an early death.

"Gripping, lively, perceptive." Sarah Bakewell, Independent

"Entertaining." Jeremy Lewis, Sunday Times

"A remarkable achievement." Nigel Jones, Sunday Telegraph

"An informative, fast-paced, entertaining read, full of fascinating facts." Alan Chadwick, Metro

About this edition

• Publisher: Canongate Books Ltd
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 1841958220
• ISBN 13: 9781841958224
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320