The Great Rivalry - Disraeli and Gladstone

Benjamin Disraeli and William Ewart Gladstone are without doubt the two most iconic figures of Victorian politics. Their distinctly different personalities and policies led to 28 years of bitter political rivalry. For the first time, this book provides the full story of their rivalry and its origins, comparing the upbringing, education and personalities of the two leaders, as well as their political careers. Dick Leonard considers the impact of religion on the two men, their contrasting oratorical skills, their attitudes to political and social reform, foreign affairs and imperialism as well as their relations with Queen Victoria. In their private lives he sheds new light on Gladstone's guilt-ridden obsession with 'reforming' prostitutes, and Disraeli's almost completely successful efforts to conceal the existence of two illegitimate children. Providing important new perspectives on the two towering political characters of the Victorian Age, this book will be essential reading for anyone interested in nineteenth century British history and politics.

Product details

• Authors: Dick Leonard
• Publisher: Tauris, I.B.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 14.06.2013
• EAN: 9781848859258
• ISBN: 978-1-84885-925-8
• No. of pages: 240
• Dimensions: 165 mm x 241 mm x 25 mm
• Subjects: Non-fiction book; 19. Jahrhundert (1800 bis 1899 n. Chr.), Europäische Geschichte, Vereinigtes Königreich, Großbritannien, Geschichte allgemein und Weltgeschichte