 | By: Colin Clifford Binding: Paperback Publisher: John Murray Publishers Ltd ISBN: 0719565251 ISBN-13: 9780719565250 Released: 07 Aug 2003 RRP: Average Rating:  |
What a surprise the book turns out to be. What came home to me was the detailed descriptions of the horror of The Great War: the terrible conditions in the trenches, the loss of life (graphicallly illustrated by the virtual annihilation of the pre war circle of the Asquith children including one of the PMs sons as well) but also the continuation of bridge parties back in London. None of this is a new tale but by following the story of remarkable individuals from before the war to their heroic deaths this seemed particularly poignant.
The book is particularly focused upon Mr Asquith's children & friends & Margot rather than on Mr A himself & it is here where the book does perhaps have a gap is. I see the apparent weaknesses of character (he was known by detractors as Squiff, he had a series of apparent lovers that sidelined Margot & had an apparent aloofness from his family) & even some political weaknesses (he is portrayed as almost too honourable to answer a hostile press- something that Lloyd George had no difficulty in leading) but at the end of it I don't get a sense of how he was able to lead a government for so long nor of where the very main great issues of the day came from or how Asquith helped set the agenda.
Oh darn it, my appetite is whetted & now I am going to have to read Roy Jenkins after alll!
Now Colin Clifford has produced a marvellously readable account not only about Prime Minister Asquith but also his extraordinary family. More accessible to non-academics than the Jenkins book, Clifford's book contains more historical scholarship than that of Jenkins - by a very long chalk.
It is more gripping than fiction. Asquith's rise to the top of the greasy pole, the tragic death of his first wife, his subsequent marriage to Margot Tennant - daughter of one of Britain's richest industrialists - the death of one son on the battlefront & the heroism of another, Lloyd George's ruthless exploitation of the First World War to unseat Asquith - alll are analysed by Clifford & contribute to this year's historical masterpiece.
Clifford has delved into tens of thousands of original papers & "The Asquiths" contains a wealth of new material: Britain's descent into the carnage of the First World War, the unseating of Asquith by Lloyd George, the early political career of Winston Churchill, Asquith's extraordinary liaison with Venetia Stanley, & his turbulent relationships with his exceptionallly talented children are alll meticulously described.
At a time when "spin" & deceit has marred the reputation of so many politicians & has devalued the political process, it is fascinating to read about the triumphs & disasters of a man who displayed so much honour & integrity throughout his long career in public service.
Above alll, Clifford evokes the spirit of a byegone age, an age that was shattered forever in the killing fields of France.
A brilliant work which is worth at least five stars.
Now Colin Clifford has produced a marvellously readable account not only about Prime Minister Asquith but also his extraordinary family. More accessible to non-academics than the Jenkins book, Clifford's book contains more historical scholarship than that of Jenkins - by a very long chalk.
It is more gripping than fiction. Asquith's rise to the top of the greasy pole, the tragic death of his first wife, his subsequent marriage to Margot Tennant - daughter of one of Britain's richest industrialists - the death of one son on the battlefront & the heroism of another, Lloyd George's ruthless exploitation of the First World War to unseat Asquith - alll are analysed by Clifford & contribute to this year's historical masterpiece.
Clifford has delved into tens of thousands of original papers & "The Asquiths" contains a wealth of new material: Britain's descent into the carnage of the First World War, the unseating of Asquith by Lloyd George, the early political career of Winston Churchill, Asquith's extraordinary liaison with Venetia Stanley, & his turbulent relationships with his exceptionallly talented children are alll meticulously described.
At a time when "spin" & deceit has marred the reputation of so many politicians & has devalued the political process, it is fascinating to read about the triumphs & disasters of a man who displayed so much honour & integrity throughout his long career in public service.
Above alll, Clifford evokes the spirit of a byegone age, an age that was shattered forever in the killing fields of France.
A brilliant work which is worth at least five stars.
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