George III: a Personal History
Christopher Hibbert Penguin, 1999 ISBN: 0140257373 Prince George of Wales was born in June 1738, two months prematurely, and at first he was not expected to survive. Ironically, he lived to be 81, the oldest King of England at his death to date. This biography paints a detailed, sympathetic portrait of his personal life and character. The boy who was left fatherless at the age of 14, dominated largely by his mother and tutor became the father of fifteen children, the eldest being a Prince of Wales (the future Prince Regent and King George IV) whom he disliked intensely, the youngest being a princess (Amelia) whom he adored intensely, and whose death from consumption at the age of 27 left him distraught. To many, George III was the mad monarch, 'the King who lost America'. Yet though his political judgment was often unsound and his latter years clouded by mental illness, he was at heart a kindly, gentle man, whose enduring achievements were the expansion of Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace. He was also a passionate collector of books, paintings and scientific instruments, and a generous patron of musicians, writers and artists. All these aspects of his life are well covered in this biography. | ||
Plot & Themes Royalty bio Yes Period of greatest activity? - 1600-1899 - Subject of Biography Gender - Male Profession/status: Ethnicity - White Nationality - British Unusual characteristics: Setting How much descriptions of surroundings? - 4 () Misc setting - Fancy Mansion Century: - 18th century Writing Style Book makes you feel? - thoughtful Pictures/Illustrations? - A ton 16-20 B&W How much of bio focuses on most famous period of life? - 76%-100% of book |