Disraeli

by Richard W. Davis

Book is in good condition and cared for in a professional library.

Genres: History

231 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Yooperprof · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am an extremely biased reviewer of this book. I'll admit it - the most important reason why I gave it four stars is because of my personal connection with the author. Reading this concise and droll biography of Benjamin Disraeli brought back for me very fond memories of sitting in Richard Davis' British History classes at Washington University and being interested, intrigued, and ultimately captured by the intricacies of 19th century political history. And through the prose of this book, I can clearly hear the wit and wisdom of a favorite professor's voice, almost forty years after those afternoons in Busch Hall.

And Richard Davis was really the person who originally inspired me to pursue Modern British History in graduate school, the path which led me to my present career (which itself is now entering it's fourth decade.)

Davis' "Disraeli" should not be the first book that a reader should open on this fascinating political figure. It is rather analytical, assumes a general knowledge of the framework of British society and politics in the Victorian era, and lacks the appropriate "scholarly apparatus" - i.e. footnotes and a full bibliography. Maybe the shouldn't be the second book on Disraeli that you should read, either. But I found it to be to be thoughtful, perceptive, and entertaining, and also a book very much of its own time, the 1970s, when it was originally published.

[James Christensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

British politician - Prime Minister off & on from 1868 to 1880 - otherwise known as the Earl of Beaconsfield - not given to any particular philosophy or moral stance, "his considerable strength of will and consistency of purpose were concentrated on one end, the advancement of his own ambitions." To him "politics was a perpetual jockeying for power and place, and little else." Yet, he proved to be a social reformer, was instrumental in enfranchising the common man, was much loved by Queen Victoria, was without equal in eloquence and oratorical skills, and had a genius for landing on his feet.

[Emilija · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the best biography of Disraeli that I've ever read. I'm not sure if that is because it's become outdated or because the writing style feels quite stiff.

[Scott Bledsoe · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not worth a review...