A Liberal Chronicle in Peace and War: Journals and Papers of J. A. Pease, 1st Lord Gainford, 1911-1915

From 1908 to 1915, Jack Pease was a key figure in the British Liberal government, serving as Chief Whip and Cabinet member. His journals, covering constitutional and Home Rule crises, industrial conflict, and war, provide a candid record of his experiences in Downing St and Westminster. Pease's support for war against Germany is evident in his letters, and his journals offer insights into the debates and personalities of prominent contemporaries.

Format: Hardback
Length: 608 pages
Publication date: 15 June 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

From 1908 to 1915, Jack Pease played a pivotal role in the British Liberal government, serving as Chief Whip during two general elections and holding a cabinet position amidst domestic turmoil, international tensions, and the outbreak of war. Pease, known for his modest demeanor, was an active participant in the deliberations of a remarkable assembly of political talent. His journals, spanning from 1911 to the formation of the coalition ministry in 1915, offer a meticulously documented and unvarnished account of his experiences in Downing Street and Westminster. These journals encompass a wide range of topics, including constitutional crises, Home Rule debates, industrial conflicts, electoral reform, women's suffrage controversies, budget battles, naval estimates, and foreign policy. Despite his Quaker beliefs, Pease firmly supported the war against Germany, and his conflicted conscience is evident in his letters to his wife and friends. The journals are enriched with intimate portraits of his esteemed chief, H.H. Asquith, as well as the social circle of the Prime Minister. They also provide insightful observations of the intellectual and political climate of the time, particularly focusing on prominent figures such as David Lloyd George, Winston Churchill, and Lord Kitchener. Pease's candid accounts, supplemented by the diaries and letters of other individuals privy to cabinet policy secrets and personal rivalries, shed light on the untold stories behind the Prime Minister's reports to the King. In conjunction with the editors' biographical introduction, extensive explanatory commentaries, and comprehensive bibliographical guidance, Pease's text offers a comprehensive and insightful understanding of Asquith's Liberal government during both peace and war.

Weight: 1006g
Dimension: 240 x 160 x 35 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192887054