George III
The Life and Reign of Britain's Most Misunderstood Monarch
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George III
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Narrated by:
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Philip Stevens
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By:
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Andrew Roberts
About this listen
Brought to you by Penguin.
George III, Britain's longest-reigning king, has gone down in history as 'the cruellest tyrant of this age' (Thomas Paine, 18th century), 'a sovereign who inflicted more profound and enduring injuries upon this country than any other modern English king' (WEH Lecky, 19th century), 'one of England's most disastrous kings' (JH Plumb, 20th century) and as the pompous, camp and sinister monarch of the musical Hamilton (21st century).
Andrew Roberts' magnificent new biography takes entirely the opposite view. It convincingly portrays George as intelligent, benevolent, scrupulously devoted to the constitution of his country and (as head of government as well as head of state) navigating the turbulence of 18th-century politics with a strong sense of honour and duty. He was a devoted husband and family man, a great patron of the arts and sciences, keen ('Farmer George') to advance Britain's agricultural capacity and determined that her horizons should be global.
The book gives a detailed, revisionist account of the American War of Independence, amongst other things persuasively taking apart a significant proportion of the Declaration of Independence. In a later war, it shows how George's support for William Pitt was crucial to the battle against Napoleon. And it makes a credible, modern diagnosis of George's terrible malady that robbed him of his mind for the last 10 years of his life - his other main claim to the popular imagination.
Roberts argues that, far from being a tyrant or incompetent, George III was one of our most admirable monarchs. George III shows one of Britain's premier historians at his sparkling best.
©2021 Andrew Roberts (P)2021 Penguin AudioListeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about George III
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Linda jauncey
- 17-01-22
Interesting book
I learned a lot about George 3rd and 18th century politics. The book is a bit long but I am glad I persevered until the end.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Ken P
- 26-03-22
A BIG HISTORY LESSON
Excellent narrator
I've learned a lot of our history in this book, especially about the war of American independence
Also learned about the kings bipolar interval of manic depression. It says a lot about this man's fortitude in living a full and productive life, and yes I believe he does come across as a FULL Englishman. Excellent book, 1,000led cent better than that silly film
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- P.
- 29-01-22
Go George III !!
brilliant! Super interesting! A must if you are interested in 18th century British history !
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mr. Marcus J. Allen
- 28-12-21
Excellent
A marvellous insight into this misunderstood monarch. The research and detail is simply awesome.
Every chapter opens up incredible insights into the court of George III and his advisors and prime ministers.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Arthur Pendragon
- 10-02-22
A history lesson as much as a biography
The character and tribulations of George III is wonderfully described. He is somewhat neglected British monarch and generally assumed to be an often mad fool if you are British. If you are an American you are likely to think of him as a tyrant.
This biography guides you through his long life. It paints a portrait of a sensitive man, loyal to family and country. Unlike many leaders at the dawn of the Enlightenment he was deeply religious but not intolerant personally. A man of his time yes, but a constitutional monarch and not a tyrant. His mental illness is ascribed, almost certainly correctly, to Mania and later dementia rather than porphyria.
What the book gives you is a blend of the political events, personalities and the history of the times.
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- Christine
- 10-11-21
Fascinating political insight of the time
This book not only provides a history of George III, but also interweaves details about the politics of the time, which covers quite a few Prime Ministers. It is this detail that I really appreciated being particularly fascinated with the politics of this era.
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- Lisa Kirkwood
- 13-07-22
George III
excellent book enjoyed it
he was not a well man at time but still was able to see Minster
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Robbo
- 22-02-22
Incredible, again
I’ve listened to almost all of Andrew Roberts books and they are always exemplary. I very much miss the characters that Andrew so cleverly brings to life whenever his books end. If only every historian was this well informed, authoritative and entertaining.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- PauseToThink
- 27-02-23
A new perspective on George III
Brilliant history and wonderfully read. An absolute must for anyone interested in the period, including the American revolution.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- J.P. Henry
- 03-07-24
Farmer George - the case for the defence
An outstanding, hugely detailed and brilliantly researched account of the life of a much maligned and fascinating monarch. Andrew Roberts makes no attempt to disguise his central intention to rehabilitate George III's reputation and this makes for an unashamedly pro-Georgian standpoint throughout, which at times can appear to verge on hagiography. Roberts however builds his case on the firmest foundations of intricate scholarly research amongst primary sources and this long account is as convincing as it is greatly entertaining .
Philip Stevens' delivery is excellent: clear, consistent and easy to listen to. My one criticism is his choice to use accents, dramatisation and the occasional impersonation when reading quotations which I personally found intrusive and at times a little cringe-worthy. This though is a minor quibble in an otherwise first-class performance.
Highly recommended.
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