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George III: Majesty and Madness
King of Britain for sixty years and the last king of what would become the United States, George III inspired both hatred and loyalty and is now best known for two reasons: as a villainous tyrant for America's Founding Fathers, and for his madness, both of which have been portrayed on stage and screen.
In this concise and penetrating biography, Jeremy Black turns away from the image-making and back to the archives, and instead locates George's life within his age: as a king who faced the loss of key colonies, rebellion in Ireland, insurrection in London, constitutional crisis in Britain and an existential threat from Revolutionary France as part of modern Britain's longest period of war.
Black shows how George III rose to these challenges with fortitude and helped settle parliamentary monarchy as an effective governmental system, eventually becoming the most popular monarch for well over a century. He also shows us a talented and curious individual, committed to music, art, architecture and science, who took the duties of monarchy seriously, from reviewing death penalties to trying to control his often wayward children even as his own mental health failed, and became Britain's longest reigning king.
In this concise and penetrating biography, Jeremy Black turns away from the image-making and back to the archives, and instead locates George's life within his age: as a king who faced the loss of key colonies, rebellion in Ireland, insurrection in London, constitutional crisis in Britain and an existential threat from Revolutionary France as part of modern Britain's longest period of war.
Black shows how George III rose to these challenges with fortitude and helped settle parliamentary monarchy as an effective governmental system, eventually becoming the most popular monarch for well over a century. He also shows us a talented and curious individual, committed to music, art, architecture and science, who took the duties of monarchy seriously, from reviewing death penalties to trying to control his often wayward children even as his own mental health failed, and became Britain's longest reigning king.
129 pages, Hardcover
First published September 3, 2020
7 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
About the author
Jeremy Black
433 books198 followersJeremy Black is an English historian, who was formerly a professor of history at the University of Exeter. He is a senior fellow at the Center for the Study of America and the West at the Foreign Policy Research Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US.
Black is the author of over 180 books, principally but not exclusively on 18th-century British politics and international relations, and has been described by one commentator as "the most prolific historical scholar of our age". He has published on military and political history, including Warfare in the Western World, 1882–1975 (2001) and The World in the Twentieth Century (2002).
Black is the author of over 180 books, principally but not exclusively on 18th-century British politics and international relations, and has been described by one commentator as "the most prolific historical scholar of our age". He has published on military and political history, including Warfare in the Western World, 1882–1975 (2001) and The World in the Twentieth Century (2002).
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 25, 2024
Perfect book to start seeing George III as a man beyond his madness.
December 3, 2020
A good short biography presenting the King in a more favourable light than recent cultural product (Alan Bennett and Lin Manuel Miranda are referenced frequently).
I came away from reading the 2006 biography, subtitled 'Americas last King' thinking that Black thought of George III as somewhat of a failed king. This book has clarified my likely earlier misreading. The King was stubborn to a fault over two major issues (Colonial relations with America in the 1760s+1770s and Catholic Emancipation) to disastrous consequences in both cases, but this very obstinance also sustained Britain in an existential war against Revolutionary France when many other powers, and politicians in the UK, were advocating for peace.
In terms of personality he also comes across quite well compared to his rude, adulterous grandfather George II and his profligate sons.
I came away from reading the 2006 biography, subtitled 'Americas last King' thinking that Black thought of George III as somewhat of a failed king. This book has clarified my likely earlier misreading. The King was stubborn to a fault over two major issues (Colonial relations with America in the 1760s+1770s and Catholic Emancipation) to disastrous consequences in both cases, but this very obstinance also sustained Britain in an existential war against Revolutionary France when many other powers, and politicians in the UK, were advocating for peace.
In terms of personality he also comes across quite well compared to his rude, adulterous grandfather George II and his profligate sons.
February 20, 2021
An excellent short biography of King George III that focuses on his wide range of interests and political views rather than his well known mental illness. The current Prince of Wales has expressed an admiration of King George III and the book discusses the similarities between them including a strong interest in art and architecture, enjoyment of country life, and engagement with politicians. There is even analysis of George III in popular culture including The Madness of King George and Hamilton. The final chapter mentions how George III's reign set precedents for the modern monarchy including public engagement and charity work and I would have been interested to read more of the author's thoughts on the continuities between George III's reign and Queen Elizabeth II's reign.
November 4, 2020
Professor Jeremy Black offers a wealth of information presented in a compact, beautifully illustrated book which would make a welcome present for anyone interested in King George III and the eighteenth century.
Jeremy Black has previously published on King George III (2006) and is therefore well placed to draw together the politics, art, literature and music of his reign. I really enjoyed this book which treats George with scholarly understanding and empathy.
Jeremy Black has previously published on King George III (2006) and is therefore well placed to draw together the politics, art, literature and music of his reign. I really enjoyed this book which treats George with scholarly understanding and empathy.
June 4, 2021
A good, concise account of a much-maligned king's reign, with welcome attention to George's personal character. Full review at my blog.
November 4, 2020
Professor Jeremy Black offers a wealth of information presented in a compact, beautifully illustrated book which would make a welcome present for anyone interested in King George III and the eighteenth century.
Jeremy Black has previously published on King George III (2006) and is therefore well placed to draw together the politics, art, literature and music of his reign. I really enjoyed this book which treats George with scholarly understanding and empathy.
Jeremy Black has previously published on King George III (2006) and is therefore well placed to draw together the politics, art, literature and music of his reign. I really enjoyed this book which treats George with scholarly understanding and empathy.
February 1, 2024
A short biography of George III. Often repetitive. How many times do we need to read that George was pious?! After the first ten or so....
December 7, 2025
I learned more about Jeremy Black than George III....
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews