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25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A literary and biographical triumph, 1 Oct 2002
By A Customer
Colin Clifford's book is a masterpiece, a literary and biographical triumph. Years ago, I read Roy Jenkins on Asquith. Since then nothing of note has appeared on the subject of one of Britain's longest serving Prime Ministers and the dominant political figure of his time, HH Asquith.Now Colin Clifford has produced a marvellously readable account not only about Prime Minister Asquith but also his extraordinary family. More accessible to non-academics than the Jenkins book, Clifford's book contains more historical scholarship than that of Jenkins - by a very long chalk. It is more gripping than fiction. Asquith's rise to the top of the greasy pole, the tragic death of his first wife, his subsequent marriage to Margot Tennant - daughter of one of Britain's richest industrialists - the death of one son on the battlefront and the heroism of another, Lloyd George's ruthless exploitation of the First World War to unseat Asquith - all are analysed by Clifford and contribute to this year's historical masterpiece. Clifford has delved into tens of thousands of original papers and "The Asquiths" contains a wealth of new material: Britain's descent into the carnage of the First World War, the unseating of Asquith by Lloyd George, the early political career of Winston Churchill, Asquith's extraordinary liaison with Venetia Stanley, and his turbulent relationships with his exceptionally talented children are all meticulously described. At a time when "spin" and deceit has marred the reputation of so many politicians and has devalued the political process, it is fascinating to read about the triumphs and disasters of a man who displayed so much honour and integrity throughout his long career in public service. Above all, Clifford evokes the spirit of a byegone age, an age that was shattered forever in the killing fields of France. A brilliant work which is worth at least five stars.
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by Richard Toye
