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The First Four Georges England and Her "German" Kings
The First Four Georges England and Her German Kings Author:J.H. Plumb The years 1714-1830 saw far reaching changes in Britain, with expanding industry at home and increasing tensions with America and France abroad. At the apex of the momentous developments stood the monarch, whose power gradually eroded as the century wore on. Distinguished historian J.H Plumb writes a lively, concise history of eighteenth century... more » British politics, focusing on the Hanoverian kings. the first four Georges have traditionally been censored for the wrong reasons. The first two usually dismissed as stupid and uninterested in things English- a stroke of fortune that permitted the cabinet government and the two party system to flourish. The third George gloried in the name of Briton-and through his mania lost the American colonies. Fortunately, his well timed insanity and William Pitt restored the English constitution. The public life of George IV is ignored; attention is turned to the lavishness of his lifestyle. just how inaccurate these judgments were will be seen in these pages. Professor Plumb restores the Georges to their proper perspectives as human beings caught up in exceptional circumstances. Elucidating not only the shifts in the balance of power but also the spirit and zeal of the persons who guided the events, he captures the essence of his age, for which "high animal spirits and a frank indulgence in them were the keynote".« less