George III (Penguin Monarchs): Madness and Majesty

George III was the King of Britain for 60 years and the last king of the United States. He is known for being a villainous tyrant and for his madness, which have been portrayed on stage and screen. Jeremy Black's biography locates George's life within his age, showing how he faced the loss of key colonies, rebellion in Ireland, insurrection in London, constitutional crisis in Britain, and an existential threat from Revolutionary France. Black shows how George III rose to these challenges with fortitude and helped settle parliamentary monarchy as an effective governmental system, becoming the most popular monarch for over a century. He was also a talented and curious individual who took the duties of monarchy seriously, reviewing death penalties and trying to control his children.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 07 December 2023
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

King of Britain for sixty years and the last king of what would become the United States, George III inspired both hatred and loyalty and is now best known for two reasons: as a villainous tyrant for America's Founding Fathers, and for his madness, both of which have been portrayed on stage and screen. In this concise and penetrating biography, Jeremy Black turns away from the image-making and back to the archives, and instead locates George's life within his age: as a king who faced the loss of key colonies, rebellion in Ireland, insurrection in London, constitutional crisis in Britain, and an existential threat from Revolutionary France as part of modern Britain's longest period of war. Black shows how George III rose to these challenges with fortitude and helped settle parliamentary monarchy as an effective governmental system, eventually becoming the most popular monarch for well over a century. He also shows us a talented and curious individual, committed to music, art, architecture, and science, who took the duties of monarchy seriously, from reviewing death penalties to trying to control his often wayward children even as his own mental health failed, and became Britain's longest reigning king.

George III, the King of Britain for sixty years and the final ruler of what would eventually become the United States, left a complex legacy that continues to be debated and analyzed. While he is often portrayed as a villainous tyrant by America's Founding Fathers, his life and reign offer a more nuanced perspective. Black's biography, "George III: A Life," delves into the archives to present a comprehensive account of the king's life, placing it within the context of his age. During his reign, George faced numerous challenges, including the loss of key colonies, rebellion in Ireland, insurrection in London, constitutional crisis in Britain, and an existential threat from Revolutionary France. Black demonstrates how George III responded to these challenges with resilience and played a significant role in establishing parliamentary monarchy as an effective governmental system. He also sheds light on George's personal qualities, showcasing his talent and curiosity in music, art, architecture, and science. Despite his flaws, including his mental health struggles, George III took his responsibilities as a monarch seriously, engaging in various acts such as reviewing death penalties and attempting to control his often wayward children. His reign marked the longest period of British rule, spanning over eighty years, and he became the most popular monarch for over a century. "George III: A Life" provides a fresh perspective on the king, challenging the traditional narratives and highlighting his contributions to British history and society.

Weight: 110g
Dimension: 181 x 110 x 10 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780141993423