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Rivals in the Storm: How Lloyd George Seized Power, Won the War and Lost his Government
A vivid biography in cinematic snapshots of David Lloyd George, one of the world's greatest statesmen.
Brought up in rural North Wales, David Lloyd George attended neither a grand school nor ancient university. He was very much an outsider. And yet he rose through the ranks with charisma, fierce intelligence and fighting spirit to become, as Churchill put it in his tribute, a man who 'stood, when at his zenith, without a rival'.
But his rise was not without its hardships, and in Rivals in the Storm, experienced MP and author Damian Collins focuses on the impact of Lloyd George's personality on other leading politicians, in driving progressive reforms through government, changing the course of the First World War to lead the Allies to victory, and cementing Britain's alliance with America.
Covering Lloyd George's emergence as the dominating political personality in Great Britain to the aftermath of his resignation, this fascinating biography takes you inside the rooms where the important decisions happened, and shows the bitter struggles as well as the triumphs of this great man of his or any other age, who nonetheless fell short of his own high expectations.
Brought up in rural North Wales, David Lloyd George attended neither a grand school nor ancient university. He was very much an outsider. And yet he rose through the ranks with charisma, fierce intelligence and fighting spirit to become, as Churchill put it in his tribute, a man who 'stood, when at his zenith, without a rival'.
But his rise was not without its hardships, and in Rivals in the Storm, experienced MP and author Damian Collins focuses on the impact of Lloyd George's personality on other leading politicians, in driving progressive reforms through government, changing the course of the First World War to lead the Allies to victory, and cementing Britain's alliance with America.
Covering Lloyd George's emergence as the dominating political personality in Great Britain to the aftermath of his resignation, this fascinating biography takes you inside the rooms where the important decisions happened, and shows the bitter struggles as well as the triumphs of this great man of his or any other age, who nonetheless fell short of his own high expectations.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 14, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 7, 2026
Very quick read for a detailed history book. Not the best biography in my eyes, as it misses much of Lloyd George’s life prior to WWI and covers only up to the point at which he left the premiership in 1922. The best part about this book is its ability to show you how the political relationships within Whitehall in the latter half of WWI, helped shape the eventual Allied victory.
November 12, 2024
Interesting, but a rather lifeless narrative.
May 26, 2024
Damian Collins wrote an excellent book on Sir Philip Sassoon, who was aide de camp to Field Marshal Haig and a renowned networker and aesthete as well as Minister for Air, and also represented the author's constituency Folkestone and Hythe. Sassoon though a Conservative MP served as Lloyd George's PPS and in similar fashion one could say the Sassoon book served as the aperitif for this magnificent account of the dynamic Welshman's pivotal role in driving Britain on to win the Great War.
Collins has selected perhaps the most fascinating era of this great Briton's life and written it with brio and elan. It is far from a hagiography -- DLG's warts are exposed too such as his philandering and his cash for honours scheme which found many takers. However, his qualities -- of which there were many -- are to the fore and at a time when Britain required them most.
He doe snot give two hoots in allying himself with previously bitter enemies such as Lord Milner -- who he had lambasted when he was Governor of Transvaal in South Africa during the Boer War -- and Conservative MPs like Edward Carson, who had destroyed Oscar Wilde in court when the Irish literary genius and wit erred in taking off the gloves and suing the Marquess of Queensberry, and ultimately deposing Asquith as PM when he loses faith that his long-time boss can deliver victory.
It in itself was a remarkable rise for a "cottage-born boy" who had adopted his adored uncle Lloyd's name, though, he told his brother William to tell Lloyd he was "responsible for putting me in this awful job." In doing so he ultimately destroyed the Liberal Party as an electoral power.
Conservative leader Andrew Bonar-Law said post the victory in WWI Lloyd George could be PM for life but he wasted the goodwill away. His penchant for dispensing with long-time friends or those who were loyal to him came to prove costly and Stanley Baldwin -- who Lloyd George acidly remarked he had never heard him speak once in Cabinet -- became his nemesis and he was thrown brutally into the wilderness.
However, Collins brings to life this extraordinary man from his inspirational oratory such as his speech in September 1914 at the Queen's Hall where his goal was to encourage his Welsh compatriots to volunteer for the army: "We have been living in a sheltered valley for generations. We have been too comfortable and too indulgent, many, perhaps too selfish. And the stern hand of fate has scourged us to an elevation where we can see the great everlasting things that matter for a nation, the great peaks of honour we had forgotten -- duty and patriotism, clad in glittering white; the great pinnacle of sacrifice pointing like a rugged finger to Heaven."
Also shining through is his determination to get things done from establishing a Munitions Ministry, imposing conscription, to a unified Allied command and identifying key industries and retaining the essential workers as well as drafting women in too -- all things the government replicated in WWII.
This is a spellbinding account of a hypnotic personality, whose energy ran others into the ground and of whom Ramsay MacDonald remarked: "He was like a bit of mercury; when you thought you had caught him he darted off to something else."
As Collins summarises him: "Lloyd George's mercurial talents found solutions when no one else could see them, but he also created suspicion and mistrust amongst his rivals." DLG's star may have dimmed in many people's eyes due to the large figure of his close friend and at one time Liberal colleague Churchill -- who invited him to his wedding where he was also a witness, the only member of the Liberal Cabinet to be a guest to boot -- and his leadership in WWII.
However, Churchill did not forget DLG's contribution to the world and on his death ion March 26th 1945 delivered a grand eulogy: "As a man of action, resource and creative energy he stood, when at his zenith, without a rival."
It is to Collins's great credit that he has more than done justice to DLG and brought deservedly to the public's eye a man without whom Britain may well have lost the Great War and it is likely as a result Churchill would never have enjoyed his finest hour.
This is a terrific read and a double chapeau to Collins for finding the time to research and write it when his Parliamentary duties take up so much time. If I could give it six stars I would.
Collins has selected perhaps the most fascinating era of this great Briton's life and written it with brio and elan. It is far from a hagiography -- DLG's warts are exposed too such as his philandering and his cash for honours scheme which found many takers. However, his qualities -- of which there were many -- are to the fore and at a time when Britain required them most.
He doe snot give two hoots in allying himself with previously bitter enemies such as Lord Milner -- who he had lambasted when he was Governor of Transvaal in South Africa during the Boer War -- and Conservative MPs like Edward Carson, who had destroyed Oscar Wilde in court when the Irish literary genius and wit erred in taking off the gloves and suing the Marquess of Queensberry, and ultimately deposing Asquith as PM when he loses faith that his long-time boss can deliver victory.
It in itself was a remarkable rise for a "cottage-born boy" who had adopted his adored uncle Lloyd's name, though, he told his brother William to tell Lloyd he was "responsible for putting me in this awful job." In doing so he ultimately destroyed the Liberal Party as an electoral power.
Conservative leader Andrew Bonar-Law said post the victory in WWI Lloyd George could be PM for life but he wasted the goodwill away. His penchant for dispensing with long-time friends or those who were loyal to him came to prove costly and Stanley Baldwin -- who Lloyd George acidly remarked he had never heard him speak once in Cabinet -- became his nemesis and he was thrown brutally into the wilderness.
However, Collins brings to life this extraordinary man from his inspirational oratory such as his speech in September 1914 at the Queen's Hall where his goal was to encourage his Welsh compatriots to volunteer for the army: "We have been living in a sheltered valley for generations. We have been too comfortable and too indulgent, many, perhaps too selfish. And the stern hand of fate has scourged us to an elevation where we can see the great everlasting things that matter for a nation, the great peaks of honour we had forgotten -- duty and patriotism, clad in glittering white; the great pinnacle of sacrifice pointing like a rugged finger to Heaven."
Also shining through is his determination to get things done from establishing a Munitions Ministry, imposing conscription, to a unified Allied command and identifying key industries and retaining the essential workers as well as drafting women in too -- all things the government replicated in WWII.
This is a spellbinding account of a hypnotic personality, whose energy ran others into the ground and of whom Ramsay MacDonald remarked: "He was like a bit of mercury; when you thought you had caught him he darted off to something else."
As Collins summarises him: "Lloyd George's mercurial talents found solutions when no one else could see them, but he also created suspicion and mistrust amongst his rivals." DLG's star may have dimmed in many people's eyes due to the large figure of his close friend and at one time Liberal colleague Churchill -- who invited him to his wedding where he was also a witness, the only member of the Liberal Cabinet to be a guest to boot -- and his leadership in WWII.
However, Churchill did not forget DLG's contribution to the world and on his death ion March 26th 1945 delivered a grand eulogy: "As a man of action, resource and creative energy he stood, when at his zenith, without a rival."
It is to Collins's great credit that he has more than done justice to DLG and brought deservedly to the public's eye a man without whom Britain may well have lost the Great War and it is likely as a result Churchill would never have enjoyed his finest hour.
This is a terrific read and a double chapeau to Collins for finding the time to research and write it when his Parliamentary duties take up so much time. If I could give it six stars I would.
June 4, 2024
A high quality and informative book on one of Britains most brilliant and divisive prime ministers. This book is exceptionally well stylised and is incredibly easy to follow and engage with, this really gels with the machiavellian nature of Lloyd George and gives the book somewhat of a storybook feel.
Whilst this book is well sourced consistently quoting contemporary sources and opinions it is notable there is not enough focus on Lloyd George’s creation of the welfare state (arguably his second greatest achievement). The book also fails to note his notoriety as a womaniser which is especially important as the book does mention his pro-suffragette stance. Ultimately whilst overly important for the narrative this book sets out these points would have been highly useful context at points. Others would also make the point this book is too positive about Lloyd George’s character however I would fervently disagree with this I think the book strikes a good balance between painting Lloyd George as a great saviour figure and pointing out his dishonesty and dictatorial style.
Overall I think this is an excellent book on the most fascinating period of Lloyd George’s career. For a lover of political history or World War One era history this is somewhat of a must read (even if it doesn’t cover everything in huge depth).
Whilst this book is well sourced consistently quoting contemporary sources and opinions it is notable there is not enough focus on Lloyd George’s creation of the welfare state (arguably his second greatest achievement). The book also fails to note his notoriety as a womaniser which is especially important as the book does mention his pro-suffragette stance. Ultimately whilst overly important for the narrative this book sets out these points would have been highly useful context at points. Others would also make the point this book is too positive about Lloyd George’s character however I would fervently disagree with this I think the book strikes a good balance between painting Lloyd George as a great saviour figure and pointing out his dishonesty and dictatorial style.
Overall I think this is an excellent book on the most fascinating period of Lloyd George’s career. For a lover of political history or World War One era history this is somewhat of a must read (even if it doesn’t cover everything in huge depth).
October 20, 2024
An interesting book for a Conservative MP to have written and even more interesting that it carries Rory Stewart's
Most insightful about the attempts after WW1 to form a 'center' party with Lloyd George Liberals and moderate Conservatives. See Rory Stewart endorsement...
Also £3 million in a political fund is a monumental sum in 2024 so golly knows how it could have been used in 1922, alas it would seem DLG wasn't able to return to government after 1922 as many (King George V) predicted.
Limited by superfluous exposition of minor character backstory and limited treatment of post-war years.
Most insightful about the attempts after WW1 to form a 'center' party with Lloyd George Liberals and moderate Conservatives. See Rory Stewart endorsement...
Also £3 million in a political fund is a monumental sum in 2024 so golly knows how it could have been used in 1922, alas it would seem DLG wasn't able to return to government after 1922 as many (King George V) predicted.
Limited by superfluous exposition of minor character backstory and limited treatment of post-war years.
November 18, 2025
3.5, TBF the subtitle makes it pretty obvious but was hoping for a solid overview of DLG's life rather than a tight focus just on the years of power. obviously covers the peak years but would've liked to see more of DLG's pretty insane political arc from liberal, pacificist Welsh nationalist to slightly sleazy closet-Tory war leader, bur hey ho. nice cinematic writing but ultimately don't know if early twentieth century high politics is the ticket
December 18, 2024
A good read.
August 14, 2025
In the UK in the 1910s, there were 3 significant mainland parties, the Conservatives, Liberals, and Labour. If we compare them to today’s British (mainland) parties, the Conservatives had a stronger Reform Party element (judging by this book), the Liberals were more classically Liberal, and a lot of people were wary of Labour (and their darned socialism).
David Lloyd George was Welsh, and had grown up either very much lower middle class, or working class. He had been pushed to do well in school, and attended Welsh chapels, where he’d learned how to structure (and deliver) a speech by watching the pastor. He was also a Liberal, short (barely 5’6”), and mistrusted by the establishment (ie Conservatives), because of his background, and ability to make a populist speech.
One thing a certain section of the Liberal Party did know is that they didn’t like how Asquith (the Liberal Prime Minister) was handling the war, and that Lloyd George should be doing it instead. He met with the Conservatives to make it happen, creating effectively a new party (the Liberal-Nationals), which carved off 30-40% of the Parliamentary Liberal Party and formed a coalition with the Conservatives.
This is what the book is about.
To Lloyd George’s credit, there was some merit to what he said, as wartime production increased rapidly after he became Prime Minister, but he destroyed his party to become Prime Minister, and after the early 1920s, never held any political office again (beyond MP).
The book is interesting, if you’re interested in that part of British history, and is well researched, it’s just I’m reminded a teaching colleague used to say to his students, which was something along the lines of “Imagine what you could have achieved if you didn’t make it about you all the time.”
David Lloyd George was Welsh, and had grown up either very much lower middle class, or working class. He had been pushed to do well in school, and attended Welsh chapels, where he’d learned how to structure (and deliver) a speech by watching the pastor. He was also a Liberal, short (barely 5’6”), and mistrusted by the establishment (ie Conservatives), because of his background, and ability to make a populist speech.
One thing a certain section of the Liberal Party did know is that they didn’t like how Asquith (the Liberal Prime Minister) was handling the war, and that Lloyd George should be doing it instead. He met with the Conservatives to make it happen, creating effectively a new party (the Liberal-Nationals), which carved off 30-40% of the Parliamentary Liberal Party and formed a coalition with the Conservatives.
This is what the book is about.
To Lloyd George’s credit, there was some merit to what he said, as wartime production increased rapidly after he became Prime Minister, but he destroyed his party to become Prime Minister, and after the early 1920s, never held any political office again (beyond MP).
The book is interesting, if you’re interested in that part of British history, and is well researched, it’s just I’m reminded a teaching colleague used to say to his students, which was something along the lines of “Imagine what you could have achieved if you didn’t make it about you all the time.”
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews