- Hardcover: 464 pages
- Publisher: Jonathan Cape (4 Jun 2009)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0224080660
- ISBN-13: 978-0224080668
- Product Dimensions: 16.2 x 3.7 x 22.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 319,847 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Pistols at Dawn
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
‘This is a most engaging and rewarding book…stylish, scholarly and notably perceptive’ - BBC History Magazine, David Brooks
Book Description
A brilliant book about political rivalries through the ages, from the prize-winning biographer and historian
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Pistols at Dawn is a fascinating book partly because of the outstanding characters from English history that are portrayed but also because of the author's illustration of the development from 18th century Statesmen of Herculean stature towards the seemingly inevitable descent towards smaller minds with a less altruistic philosophy. Not that even the great Pitt is shown to be above economy with the truth when it was most needed. It is a book that throws a new light on the history of each period and a useful reminder of the crises of the past such as the Napoleonic and Great Wars for those of us who left school several decades ago. An original approach on fascinating subjects and a thoroughly good read.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Master political biographer John Campbell traces some well known elements of British political history but also offers new and important insights on the subject areas he knows best: Asquith/Lloyd George, Bevan/Gaitskell and Heath/Thatcher. He also provides what is probably the first assessment by a professional historian of the Blair/Brown relationship which he sees as a kind of Faustian bargain that got them into power for a good long time but which ultimately blew up in their faces.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
"Pistols at Dawn" is another excellent book from the great John Campbell, one of Britain's foremost political biographers. In a series of essays ranging from the 1780's to more or less the present day, Campbell provides fascinating and revealing insights into the competition between politicians to gain ascendancy over colleagues, party, Parliament or country. Anyone believing that competition in politics, backstairs intrigue, spin and acute personal rivalry are recent phenomena should read Campbell's book. Such features are as old as politics and in Britain particularly have been an intimate part of our parliamentary democracy for at least two hundred years.
These essays are thoroughly researched, sufficiently detailed to provide a good background to further reading, and often very funny. His judgements are reasonable, shrewd, generous and, so far as I am concerned, spot-on. While he clearly rates Lloyd George above Asquith - which will rile some readers - he is appropriately critical of the Welsh wizard. The chapter on the rivalry between Macmillan and Butler is exemplary: beautifully, indeed poignantly dramatised, informative and extraordinary - who'd have imagined that in the middle of the Twentieth century this country would have had the premiership given, finally, to a Fourteenth Earl who did not even have a seat in the House of Commons?
In his preface Campbell pays tribute to the work of fellow historians, including Richard Aldous - another great writer who is able to dramatise history without compromising accuracy and good judgement. "Pistols at Dawn" is a first-rate production which will make an ideal present for anyone interested in politics, history and people.
These essays are thoroughly researched, sufficiently detailed to provide a good background to further reading, and often very funny. His judgements are reasonable, shrewd, generous and, so far as I am concerned, spot-on. While he clearly rates Lloyd George above Asquith - which will rile some readers - he is appropriately critical of the Welsh wizard. The chapter on the rivalry between Macmillan and Butler is exemplary: beautifully, indeed poignantly dramatised, informative and extraordinary - who'd have imagined that in the middle of the Twentieth century this country would have had the premiership given, finally, to a Fourteenth Earl who did not even have a seat in the House of Commons?
In his preface Campbell pays tribute to the work of fellow historians, including Richard Aldous - another great writer who is able to dramatise history without compromising accuracy and good judgement. "Pistols at Dawn" is a first-rate production which will make an ideal present for anyone interested in politics, history and people.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
people, power and the greasy pole
A great read for all those inserted in politics and history, but this book is much more than that. It is also a fascinating study of people and power - what enables some to rise to... Read more
Published 5 months ago by markr
Looks like a good read
Purchased this book as a gift for my son. It looks a good read. Arrived very promptly with no problems.
Published 5 months ago by CVella
Engaging and Informative
A brilliant compilation of short stories describing eight bitter political rivalries that have occurred over the last two hundred years of English parliamentary history, beginning... Read more
Published on 10 May 2010 by Chris J. Newman
Pistols at Dawn
The actual subtitle of the book is `Two hundred years of political rivalry from Pitt & Fox to Blair & Brown'. It might equally be `A Study in Petulance'. Read more
Published on 19 April 2010 by David Herdson
A Very Good, Enjoyable and Entertaining Book
Pistols at Dawn by John Campbell is a very good book dealing with some of the great political rivalries in British history. Read more
Published on 15 Jan 2010 by HBH
Simmering hatreds
The top of the greasy pole is well known as a lonely place. Our leaders might have different attitudes to marriage and domestic relationships, but it is astonishing how many of the... Read more
Published on 14 Oct 2009 by G. Davis
A political enthusiast's dream!
In true style and reverence, the book (definitely) lives up to its name. It will blow & shoot any competitor out of Westminster, if not the charts!
Published on 26 Aug 2009 by S Firth
The Rivals
Pistols At Dawn is a description of personal rivalries in British politics over the past two hundred years. Read more
Published on 27 July 2009 by Neutral
Political book
Fascinating details of rivalry through the ages between our top people. Blair and Brown the least interesting.
Bill Ryan
Bill Ryan
Published on 16 July 2009 by Mr. W. E. H. Ryan
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