Beau Brummell: The Ultimate Dandy

Expecting a standard sort of biography, I have to admit to being pleasantly surprised by this book. It succeeds not only as a biography of a man, but also as a fashion history of Brummell and his impact on the tastes of both men and women from then up till the present. The descriptions of cloth, cuts and tailoring sent me scurrying to Google a number of times, as many of the terms were unfamiliar to me, but while challenging to the reader it is also very rewarding as I did learn a great deal. A reader not so interested in the details can however draw enough inference from the text to continue without the extra research if desired.

Additionally the book serves as an fascinating social history of the period, with much detail on the clubs, show more the entertainment and other facets of how the privileged kept themselves occupied. The author uses quotes from many primary sources and weaves these together with his narrative in such a way that they help illustrate the tale, rather than bogging it down. It also delves into the complex social relationships that often meant the difference between being a sought after member of the elite and a social pariah, shunned and ignored. This may sound trivial, but it's surprisingly interesting reading.

Finally it should be noted that the book is seriously considered history, not fluff or a pop narrative. There is much depth to the book and serious students of history will find much to appreciate here. show less

I thought this biography was an extremely interesting and lively account of the life of the preeminent dandy in Regency London. Kelly treats Beau Brummell like a modern celebrity, documenting his ascent from common beginnings to the peak of high society (he was friends with the Prince of Wales and became, basically, the guy everyone wanted to know), and his later descent into debt, prison, and syphilitic insanity. Obviously the subject matter is probably only of interest to Regency geeks like me, but if you're into the period, you should definitely read it. It paints a picture not only of Brummell himself, but of the high-society life of the period, and there's an extensive list of sources at the end for further reading.

This book was on my wishlist for months before it was published. I adore Regency England, and the possibility of a biography on one of its leading men was too much to pass up.

Kelly introduces us to Brummell in his childhood, the son of common parents who wanted a better life for their children. He leads us through Brummell's time at Eton, and in the army (though he never saw battle), through his amazing reign as London's famed favorite, and then, painfully, his fall from grace and his battle with syphilis and debt in France.

Beau Brummell is often depicted as a bored, cruelly witty man who took hours to tie his cravat. Kelly shows us this side of Brummell, certainly, but also gives great insight as to why Brummell was the way he was. The show more biography is littered with tantalizing Brummell one-liners that will make you laugh out loud- and probably had the same effect on Regency society. Readers are presented with hypotheses on Brummell's love life, his gambling addiction, and the constancy of his friends. And, melded with all this, we are given a wonderful, realistic view of Regency London in all its glory and perversity.

Kelly is clearly sympathetic to Brummell, and one can't help but agree with him. Brummell deals with seemingly insurmountable problems (many caused by his reckless spending) with amazing sangfroid and humor. So that, when one approaches the end of the book, and is faced with harrowing descriptions of a man suffering endlessly from a wasting disease, it is impossible not to feel for him.

Kelly paints a portait not only of a leading man of the Regency era, but also of the era itself. The biography is interesting, well-presented and compassionate. If you like Regency London, you will want to read this book. show less

Enjoyed this book, but found the end more absorbing. Social history and biography, the chapters about his time as the arbiter of fashion in London didn't hold my attention quite the same way as his later years of decline did. I'm not sure if that says more about me or the book! Worth a read either way.

Such a familiar name, and yet I knew nothing about the man. Ian Kelly's biography of Beau Brummell proved an interesting read.

Very absorbing. But still find it hard to visualise him - maybe because there is no official portrait. What a fascinating period! Harrowing ending.

Very readable account of the life and times of the well known late 18th, early 19th century metrosexual whose influence on minimalist male fashion lasted far beyond his life.