Prince of Pleasure: The Prince of Wales and the Making of the Regency
by Saul David
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Description
This is the first full-scale biography of George IV in twenty-five years. David's biography places George IV firmly into the context of his time; it includes details on Britain's political system, diplomacy, industry, agriculture, etc. George IV was both a womaniser and a patron of the arts; his scandalous liaisons-from prostitutes to his dissolved marriage to Mrs Maria Fitzherbert - were the talk of the nation. The scandal culminated with his ongoing feud with his wife, Queen Caroline whom show more he deserted after just three nights and whom he attempted to try for adultery in the high court. The flip side to George's dissolute nature is that he was one of the most cultured monarchs ever to sit on the British throne. He did much to encourage the Royal Academy, donating works of art etc. David's biography analyses this apparent disparancy by dissecting George's unhappy relationship with his parents and states that his dissolute lifestyle was undoubtedly a reaction to their ascetic example, as well as making some very telling comparisons to a man in a current equivalent position - Prince Charles. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
George IV of Great Britain, more famous as the Prince Regent of the Regency period, is not my favorite British monarch by a mile. Still, he did live an interesting life, as he sought to break free of his austere childhood and live a life filled with pleasure. Living well beyond his means, George gambled, engaged in love affairs, dabbled in politics, and illegally married a Catholic. His one legal marriage, to Caroline of Brunswick, became the bane of his existence as the couple quickly grew estranged and at odds with each other. Still, the sequence of scandals, love affairs, and martial strife made for interesting reading. A good read for those seeking to better understand one of the vital figures of the Regency era.
A most pleasurable read. This prince was not entirely a laughing stock. He had a lasting impact on the arts, not just on the public purse. He had a most unusual reign , if you can refer to the regency as a reign, with his noble father George III popping in and out of lunacy. He also had a very interesting wife, Caroline of Brunswick and they despised each other mightily. There is an earlier history of George IV by J.B Priestly, an English writer and historian which has a similar title that was written in the late 1960's.
History comes alive when the author has a command of both language and subject, Saul David has command of both and Regency England comes alive. Great book!
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Author Information
30+ Works 1,969 Members
David Saul is an award-winning military historian and broadcaster. He is the acclaimed author of fifteen works of nonfiction, including Operation Thunderbolt and The Force. He lives outside of Bath, England, where he is a professor of military history at the University of Buckingham.
Common Knowledge
- People/Characters
- George III, King of the United Kingdom; George IV, King of the United Kingdom (as Prince Regent); Caroline of Brunswick, Queen Consort of the United Kingdom
- Important events
- 19th century; Georgian Era (1714 | 1837); Regency Era (1811 | 1820)
Classifications
- Genres
- History, Nonfiction, Biography & Memoir, General Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 941.07 — History & geography History of Europe British Isles Historical periods of British Isles 1714-1837 Period of House of Hanover
- LCC
- DA538 .A1 .D38 — History of Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania Great Britain History of Great Britain England History By period Modern, 1485-
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 147
- Popularity
- 221,998
- Reviews
- 3
- Rating
- (3.93)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 5
- ASINs
- 8
