Pitt the Younger, 1759-1806

Robin Reilly has entered a field with a vast number of competitors but has acquitted himself admirably. The life of this important stateman, politician and friend has been dealt with in a brief but thorough compass. All the important subjects are covered with ease of expression and satisfactory detail. A good index ensures that one can find topics and persons of note easily. A number of prints are included that are relevant and of good quality. After wading through the huge tombes of Ehrman, Stanhope and Holland Rose Reilly is refreshing and to the point. My first point of call when checking a point in Pitt's life. An excellent book which brings together all the usual information on the statesman in a brief readable compass.

While this book provides excellent detail and a thorough account of the younger Pitt's life, it is certainly not a good first book on the period. The author gives a good account of the personality and evolution of Pitt, and the stories and anecdotes are well documented and reasearched. However, the sheer volume of Pitt's contemporaries can be overwhelming, expecially for someone without knowledge of the period. Having said that, I was particularly intrigued by the excellent account of Pitt's parlimentary struggles against his adversaries (Fox in particular). Also, the royal (George III) favor and disfavor of parlimentary leaders is interesting. Pitt emerges as a heroic figure, with unwavering integrity. Additionlly, anyone interested in the history of parlimentary debate, and the focus upon oratory will find no better study than Pitt. The author gives a fine account of Pitt's mastery in this area. I heartily recommend this book, although I would also recommend starting with a more general account of the period for background. This make the detailed account of Pitt's life much easier to follow.