THE NO. 1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERA funny book about a serious subject, Unruly is for anyone who has ever wondered how we got here - and who is to blame.'Clever, amusing, gloriously bizarre and razor sharp. Mitchell – a funny man and skilled historian – tells stories that are interesting and fun. Here is Horrible Histories for grownups’ GERARD DEGROOT, THE TIMES 'Just fantastic. Delightfully contrary and hilariously cantankerous. Very, very funny’ JESSE ARMSTRONG, CREATOR OF SUCCESSION AND PEEP SHOW'Clever, funny. Makes you think quite differently about history’ DAN SNOW, HISTORIAN AND BROADCASTER ---- Think you know your kings and queens? Think again. Taking us right back to King Arthur (spoiler: he didn't exist), Unruly tells the founding story of post-Roman England up to the reign of Elizabeth I (spoiler: she dies). It's a tale of narcissists, inadequate self-control, excessive beheadings, middle-management insurrection, uncivil wars, and at least one total Cnut. How this happened, who it happened to and why it matters in modern Britain are all questions David Mitchell answers with brilliance, wit and the full erudition of a man who once studied history – and won't let it off the hook for the mess it's made.*The Times Number One Bestseller October 2023* ----‘An enjoyable, rollicking read, definitely not a conventional history book’ THE TIMES‘Chatty, irreverent and liberally sprinkled with gags and opinions. Horrible Histories with added swearing’ GUARDIAN 'Mitchell clearly knows his history, with a book that owes as much to Monty Python as it does to Simon Schama' ANDREW MARR, BROADCASTER 'Who knew a history of England's rulers could be this hilarious?' i 'I can’t recommend this book enough. Very funny and interesting, it is above all a proper work of history' CHARLIE HIGSON Read more

THE CAPTIVATING TRUE STORY OF THE MAN WHO INSPIRED WOLF HALL, MASTERFULLY TOLD: NOW REVISED WITH A NEW CHAPTER Readers LOVE Thomas Cromwell:'Very well written and engaging; I found it hard to put it down . . . Great book and one I will read again.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'This is one of the most fascinating biographies I've read.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'There have been many biographies of Cromwell, but Tracy Borman's book must rank among the very best.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ------------Known widely as Henry VIII's 'right-hand man', Cromwell has captured imaginations throughout the centuries: but who was he really? In this major new biography, leading historian Tracy Borman examines the life, loves and legacy of the man who changed the shape of England forever.Born a lowly tavern keeper's son, Cromwell rose swiftly through the ranks to become Henry VIII's right hand man, and one of the most powerful figures in Tudor history. The architect of England's break with the Roman Catholic Church and the dissolution of the monasteries, he oversaw seismic changes in England's history. Influential in securing Henry's controversial divorce from Catherine of Aragon, many believe he was also the ruthless force behind Anne Boleyn's downfall and subsequent execution.Although for years he has been reviled as a Machiavellian schemer who stopped at nothing in his quest for power, Thomas Cromwell was also a loving husband, father and guardian, a witty and generous host, and a loyal and devoted servant. With fresh research and new insights into Cromwell's family life, his household and his close relationships, Tracy Borman tells the true story of Henry VIII's most faithful servant. -----------Critical acclaim for Thomas Cromwell:'Dr Tracy Borman has crafted an exceptional and compelling biography about one of the Tudor age's most complex and controversial figures. With expert insights based on a wealth of research, and riveting detail, she has brought Thomas Cromwell to life as never before.' ― Alison Weir'This deeply researched and grippingly written biography brings Cromwell to life and exposes the Henrician court in all its brutal, glittering splendour.' -- Kate Williams ― Independent'Tracy Borman tells us succinctly in 400 pages what we need to know about the man who rose to be the king's highest adviser ... a very good book.' ― The Times'Tracy Borman's study makes clear his achievements, both admirable and despicable ... Borman has read an impressively wide range of modern historical literature on Cromwell.' ― Guardian'Borman's is a highly readable account, and will add to the debate surrounding this ultimately elusive character.' ― Financial Times'Elegant ... her prose, as ever, glides beautifully along.' ― Sunday Times'An engaging biography.' ― Evening Standard Read more

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERTHE TIMES and SUNDAY TIMES BEST MEMOIR OF 2024 … 'GENIUS'A BOOK OF THE YEAR for theSPECTATOR, MAIL ON SUNDAY, NEW STATESMAN, FINANCIAL TIMES, INDEPENDENT, TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY EXPRESSand THE TABLET.From one of the funniest writers of our time, the award-winning author of One Two Three Four and Ma'am Darling turns his attention to Queen Elizabeth II in an unforgettable and fascinating biography.'A crown jewel among royal biographies' OBSERVER‘Extraordinarily original, enlightening and fresh’ SPECTATOR'Absolutely fascinating' Ruth Langsford, LOOSE WOMEN'A very unusual masterpiece' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH'Brilliantly funny and well-researched' FINANCIAL TIMESVirginia Woolf compared her to a caterpillar; Anne Frank kept pictures of her on the wall of her annex; Jimi Hendrix played her tune; Haile Selassie gave her a gold tiara; Dirk Bogarde watched Death in Venice with her; Andy Warhol envied her fame; Donald Trump offended her; E.M. Forster confessed he would have married her, if only she had been a boy.Queen Elizabeth II was famous for longer than anyone who has ever lived. When people spoke of her, they spoke of themselves; when they dreamed of her, they dreamed of themselves. She mirrored their hopes and anxieties. To the optimist, she seemed an optimist; to the pessimist, a pessimist; to the awestruck, charismatic; and to the cynical, humdrum. Though by nature reserved and unassuming, her presence could fill presidents and rock gods with terror. For close to a century, she inhabited the psyche of a nation.Combining biography, essays, cultural history, dream diaries, travelogue and satire, the bestselling and award-winning author of Ma'am Darling and One Two Three Four: The Beatles in Time presents a kaleidoscopic portrait of this most public yet private of sovereigns.–'An unconventional tribute that offers a snapshot of almost a century of social history with a mix of royal insanity, and superior anecdotes, from farts and corgis to Paul McCartney and poets laureate' THE TIMES and SUNDAY TIMES BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2024'An enthralling reverie on memory, identity, coincidence and meaning – testing, teasing, charming, moving and deceptively wise' RORY STEWART‘An entertaining and revealing digest … fascinating … Craig Brown has captured something essential about Britain’s curious relationship with royalty’TLS'Completely and utterly brilliant and exquisitely funny and fascinating. This book is, dare I say, majestic. Craig Brown has no peers – I would curtsey to him if I met him' MARINA HYDE'Wonderfully readable … At once sympathetic but clear-eyed, kind but sharp' NEW STATESMAN'Brown is as sharp and dryly funny as his subject'EVENING STANDARD'You wouldn’t think the world needed another book about Queen Elizabeth – but how wrong you’d be. Craig Brown’s wholly original and enthralling biography is absolute heaven from start to finish’ INDIA KNIGHT'Craig Brown continues to reinvent the art of biography… utterly fascinating' JASON COWLEYCraig Brown's book One Two Three Four won the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction in 2020.Craig Brown's book 'A Voyage Around the Queen' was a No.2 Sunday Times bestseller w/c 2024-08-26. Read more

We all know Henry VIII had six wives. But these ladies are FAR too interesting to only be known as wives. Did you know that Catherine of Aragon rallied her troops in full armour while heavily pregnant? Or that Anne of Cleves met Henry VIII BEFORE they married - only she didn't realise, because he was in disguise! Or that it was Catherine Parr who persuaded the king to return his daughters Mary and Elizabeth - two of British history's most famous monarchs - to the line of succession?Get ready to lose your head as the six wonderful women behind the man take centre stage to overthrow her-story. From rumours of scandals and LOTS of lying, to political plays and fabulous frocks, The Six is a story filled with ambition, treason and strong women. Read more

THE SUNDAY TIMES NUMBER-ONE BESTSELLER. AS FEATURED IN SEASON 5 OF THE CROWN.When Diana: Her True Story was first published in 1992 it changed the way the public viewed the British monarchy. Never before had a senior royal spoken in such a raw, unfiltered way about her marriage, her hopes and fears and her extraordinary life inside the House of Windsor. An icon in life and a legend in death, Diana continues to fascinate and now, more than twenty-five years on, Andrew Morton has revisited the secret tapes he and the late princess made, to reveal startling new insights into her life and mind.A unique literary classic, Diana: Her True Story is the closest we will ever come to her autobiography.‘The most carefully researched, authoritative book about the royal family ever.’ The Sunday Times Read more

One of the most powerful monarchs in British history, Henry VIII ruled England in unprecedented splendour. In this remarkable composite biography, Alison Weir brings Henry's six wives vividly to life, revealing each as a distinct and compelling personality in her own right. Drawing upon the rich fund of documentary material from the Tudor period, The Six Wives of Henry VIII shows us a court where personal needs frequently influenced public events and where a life of gorgeously ritualised pleasure was shot through with ambition, treason and violence.'At last we have the truth about Henry VIII's wives. This book is as reliable and scholarly as it is readable' Evening Standard Read more

‘Langley ... understands how to excite people about the past ― more so, perhaps, than most academics’ – The New York Times'Philippa Langley has done it again.' – The TimesA HISTORY HIT BOOK OF THE MONTHHistory re-written: has the 540-year-old mystery been solved?‘The totality of evidence revealed is astonishing. Following the discovery of King Richard III’s grave in a car park in Leicester in 2012, The Missing Princes Project will again rewrite the history books, redrawing what we know about Richard III and Henry VII and pressing the reset button of history.’ - Philippa LangleyIn the summer of 1483, two brothers were seen playing in the grounds of the Tower of London, where they’d been lodged by the King’s Council – their uncle, the future Richard III, its chief member. From there the boys seem to vanish from the historical record, and so one of the greatest and most intriguing mysteries of British history was born. Over the centuries, historians have debated tirelessly about the fate of Edward V and Richard, Duke of York: did they die in the Tower? Did they escape? Were they murdered?After astonishing success in locating and laying to rest Richard III, Philippa Langley turns her forensic focus onto this enduring case, teaming up with criminal investigative experts, historians, archivists and researchers from around the world in her groundbreaking The Missing Princes Project. Following years of extensive research, investigation and formidable dedication, this landmark study has finally reached completion, with stunning conclusions.In The Princes in the Tower: Solving History’s Greatest Cold Case, join Langley as she records the painstaking investigative work undertaken and lays out the evidence to reveal the remarkable untold story. Here she is able, finally, to address any injustice and solve the mystery surrounding the Princes in the Tower once and for all.Compelling in breadth and detail, this book asks its readers to re-examine what they thought they knew about one of our greatest historical mysteries. Perfect for fans of the period and the likes of Dan Jones, Philippa Gregory and Janina Ramirez. Read more

From the winner of the Baillie Gifford Prize, the funny and tragic, bestselling biography of The Queen’s sister, Princess Margaret. Perfect for fans of Netflix’s The Crown.A GUARDIAN BOOK OF THE YEAR • A TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR • A DAILY MAIL BOOK OF THE YEAR‘I honked so loudly the man sitting next to me dropped his sandwich’ ObserverShe made John Lennon blush and Marlon Brando clam up. She cold-shouldered Princess Diana and humiliated Elizabeth Taylor. Jack Nicholson offered her cocaine and Pablo Picasso lusted over her. To her friends Princess Margaret was witty and regal, to her enemies, she was rude and demanding. Ma’am Darling looks at her from many angles, creating a kaleidoscopic biography, and a witty meditation on fame and art, snobbery and deference, bohemia and high society.'Jaw-dropping' The Times'Hilarious' Sunday Telegraph'Brilliant' Evening Standard'A masterpiece' Country LifeCraig Brown's book 'A Voyage Around the Queen' was a No.2 Sunday Times bestseller w/c 2024-08-26. Read more

AN INTIMATE ACCOUNT OF ONE OF BRITAIN'S LONGEST-REIGNING - AND MOST EXTRAORDINARY - MONARCHS FROM BESTSELLING HISTORIAN LUCY WORSLEY Readers LOVE Queen Victoria:'This book changed my whole perception of Queen Victoria' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Fascinating. Lucy has really brought her to life' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'An insightful, interesting and readable account' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐******************************* Who was Queen Victoria? A little old lady, potato-like in appearance, dressed in everlasting black? She was also a passionate young princess who loved dancing. And there is also a third Victoria, the brilliant queen, one who invented a new role for the monarchy.Victoria found a way of ruling when people were deeply uncomfortable with having a woman on the throne.Her image as a conventional daughter, wife and widow concealed the reality of a talented, instinctive politician. Her actions, if not her words, reveal that she was tearing up the rules on how to be female. But the price of this was deep personal pain.By looking in detail at twenty-four days of her life, through diaries, letters and more, we meet Queen Victoria up-close and personal. Living with her from hour to hour, we can see and celebrate the contradictions that make up British history's most recognisable woman. **************************Critical acclaim for Queen Victoria:'A wonderfully fresh, vivid and engaging portrait.' Jane Ridley, author of Bertie: A Life of Edward VII'Has much of the abundant charm of its author.' Spectator'The glory of this book is in the details.' The Times'Worsley's command of the material and elegant writing style make this a must-read.' Publisher's Weekly'An intimate glimpse.' Daily Mail'An engaging portrait of the monarch.' i paper'Provides a unique insight into this inscrutable monarch.' Choice Magazine 'In this lively, light-footed biography, just out in paperback, the popular TV historian Lucy Worsley looks at just 24 days of Victoria's 81-year long life to reveal unexpected sides to the monarch.' BBC History Magazine Read more

Selected for The Best Cookery Books to Give This Year, Daily MailThe Best of the Year's Cookbooks, The Spectator"A lovely book of scrumptious dishes." Alexandra Shulman"In his own inimitably engaging way, he's blended history, monarchy and gastronomy, bringing to life more than 200 years of royal food." Country Life"With unique access to centuries of the royals' menu archive and their chefs, Tom Parker Bowles has compiled a very enjoyable book for royal watchers." The Spectator''A delicious insight' Daily Mail'' There's a dash of history, a generous helping of recipes and sprinkles of enticing illustrations.'' Lucy Lethbridge, The OldieBlending history, monarchy, and gastronomy, Tom Parker Bowles guides the reader on an adventure across royal culinary historyFrom breakfasts, picnic lunches and dinners, to coronations and state banquets, Cooking and the Crown showcases an abundance of beloved royal recipes for all seasons and occasions. From Queen Camilla's porridge to the King's wet martini, George V's Curry to Queen Mary's birthday cake, sophisticated creations feature alongside dishes of surprising simplicity, combining historical insights with modern tastes. Each chapter is accompanied by fascinating tales of royal kitchens, chefs and culinary traditions. Weaving together material from the royal archives, contemporary accounts and personal insight, Tom Parker Bowles paints a vivid picture of royal tastes and traditions, as far back as Victorian times. Read more

The instant No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller, updated with exclusive new material covering the turbulent events of 2024, including the serious health challenges facing the King and Princess of Wales.'Scoops aplenty are here . . . An irresistible insider account of momentous royal events' – Melanie Reid, The Times'Fascinating . . . the book everyone is talking about' – Daily MailBy the acclaimed royal biographer and commentator Robert Hardman, Charles III is a brilliant and intimate portrait of the new monarch that draws on unrivalled access to the Royal Family, their close friends and staff, plus previously unseen papers from the Royal Archives.With damaging headlines unleashed by the Sussexes, political crises and questions about the future of the monarchy, Charles III had no shortage of challenges when he started his reign. The Royal Family then faced a double blow in 2024 when the King and the Princess of Wales were diagnosed with cancer, the news shocking the nation.The dramatic story is uncovered here, along with the vital role played by Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Princess Royal and others. From the emotional days following the death of Elizabeth II to the pageantry of the coronation, from the truth about the King’s relationship with Prince William and Prince Harry and the way he has coped with his illness to his first steps on the world stage, Hardman takes us behind the pomp and ceremony to reveal Charles the man as well as the monarch.Authoritative and richly insightful, Charles III is the definitive account of a king determined to maximize ‘the time God grants me’ – and enjoy it.'This glorious book reveals the real Charles III. Hardman’s magisterial biography, full of detail about the King, the Queen and the Sussexes alike, will become a historical document' – Simon Heffer, The Telegraph Read more

This brilliant new book explores the lives of eight generations of the greatest kings and queens that this country has ever seen, and the worst. The Plantagenets – their story is the story of Britain.England’s greatest royal dynasty, the Plantagenets, ruled over England through eight generations of kings. Their remarkable reign saw England emerge from the Dark Ages to become a highly organised kingdom that spanned a vast expanse of Europe. Plantagenet rule saw the establishment of laws and creation of artworks, monuments and tombs which survive to this day, and continue to speak of their sophistication, brutality and secrets.Dan Jones brings you a new vision of this battle-scarred history. From the Crusades, to King John’s humbling over Magna Carta and the tragic reign of the last Plantagenet, Richard III – this is a blow-by-blow account of England’s most thrilling age. Read more

The SUNDAY TIMES bestselling inside story of the real relationship between King Charles III and his mother, our late Queen, by the acclaimed royal biographer, Ingrid Seward. ‘Incisive, emotive and journalistically rigorous’ - The Telegraph ‘Revelatory and perceptive’ - Andrew Morton, author of Diana: Her True Story The relationship between the late monarch and her son, the King, has long been a subject of fascination. The upbringing of an heir is especially important, since the demands placed on the monarch are unique - and no one understood this better than the late Queen. She knew that not only must they be figureheads, but they must also uphold family values. Princess Elizabeth made it a point of maternal honour to try and build her routine around her young son while doing her duty – something that became an even more delicate and difficult balance when she became Queen.My Mother and I reveals the challenges faced by Prince Charles as he remained in his mother's shadow for most of his life and offers insight into how their relationship operated behind closed doors. Charting Charles’ colourful life through many personal anecdotes from his family and his friends – from the moment the guns saluted his birth to the day he was officially declared King at his Coronation – My Mother and I is not only a vivid portrait of a complex relationship; it is also a celebration of the power of family. Read more

REPUBLISHED TO COMMEMORATE THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF PRINCESS DIANA’S DEATHA whole nation stood paralysed at the news of Princess Diana’s tragic death after a car crash in Paris in August 1997. However heartbroken about the accident that took the life of the People’s Princess, many people were sceptical about the government’s official statements. After in-depth research of the circumstances of that fateful night, investigative writer and former journalist Noel Botham finally reveals what he alleges to be the truth – Princess Diana fell victim to a ruthlessly executed assassination.Twenty years later, the tragedy still shapes Britain as we know it today. How could the Establishment betray the trust of a whole nation? How was the killing executed? Was there really another car in the tunnel at the time of the crash? Reporting from the innermost sanctums of British intelligence and royalty, Botham reveals shocking answers to what he claims is one of the UK’s most successfully kept secrets.As Botham affirms, The Murder of Princess Diana firmly lays to rest the theory that Diana’s death was a mere accident, and finally gives the people of Britain the explanation they deserve. Read more

In the Shadow of the Empress is the sweeping family saga of beautiful Maria Theresa, the only woman to inherit and rule the vast Habsburg empire in her own name, and three of her remarkable daughters: lovely, talented Maria Christina, governor general of the Austrian Netherlands; spirited Maria Carolina, the resolute queen of Naples; and the youngest, Marie Antoinette, the glamorous, tragic queen of France, perhaps the most famous princess in history. Unfolding against an irresistible backdrop of courts from Vienna to Versailles, this epic history of Maria Theresa and her daughters is a tour de force of desire, adventure, ambition, treachery, sorrow and glory. Read more

'The best account in English of the early years of Elizabeth' Evening StandardA woman in a man's world, Queen Elizabeth I was to become England's most successful ruler. Confident in her destiny, intensely intelligent, passionately sexual yet (she said) a virgin, Elizabeth's reign was characterised by a self-assurance unusual for the time. Finding her way through the labyrinthine plots that surrounded the court, she had to live by her wits, surrounded by betrayal and suspicion, not knowing who to trust with her desire to be queen, or her desire to be a lover.David Starkey's portrait of the first female ruler of England is an enlightening account. Filled with lucid and clear scenes with fascinating insight throughout, Elizabeth is a truly masterful retelling of the life of a legendary monarch.'What a page turner!' Time Out'Fresh and lively... Vividly told' Sunday Times Read more

A Times Best Book on the Royal Family of the Year 2022This is a biography of the Queen Mother with all the dull bits stripped out.When told that Lady Mountbatten was being buried at sea, the Queen Mother replied cheerfully. ‘Dear old Edwina, she always did like to make a splash!’During her lifetime, the Queen Mother was as famous for her clever quips, pointed observations and dry-as-a-Martini delivery style as she was for being a member of the Royal Family. She was also famed for her fondness for ‘drinky-poos’ – usually a gin and Dubonnet or three. Now, Do Let’s Have Another Drink recounts 101 biographical vignettes – one for each year of her long, remarkable life, including her coming-of-age during World War I, the abdication of her brother-in-law, the truth about her tragic nieces and her relationship with her two daughters over half a century of widowhood.The book is a skimming-stone biography – the story of a life without the boring bits – and a travel guide to a world that no longer exists. Stepping into the Queen Mother’s rarefied universe is a little like falling through the looking glass. The book rightly celebrates her sense of humour but also explores her enmities and feuds, including the truth about her behaviour towards Wallis Simpson, Nerissa Bowes-Lyon and Diana, Princess of Wales.For fans of The Crown and featuring new revelations, never before published, and colourful anecdotes about the woman the high society photographer Cecil Beaton once described as ‘a marshmallow made on a welding machine’, Do Let’s Have Another Drink is a delightful celebration of one of the most consistently popular members of the Royal Family. Read more

**SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER** **RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK** **WATERSTONES SCOTTISH BOOK OF THE MONTH**'An astonishing feat'Christina Patterson, Sunday Times'An inspiring and moving sideways look at history'Eithne Farry, Sunday Express An eloquent blend of history and memoir, Threads of Life is an evocative and moving book about the need we all have to tell our story.From political propaganda in medieval France to secret treason in Tudor England, from the mothers of the desaparecidos in Argentina to First World War soldiers with PTSD, from a POW camp in Singapore to a family attic in Scotland, Threads of Life is a global chronicle of identity, protest, memory and politics. Banner-maker, community textile artist and textile curator Clare Hunter chronicles the stories of the men and women, over centuries and across continents, who have used the language of sewing to make their voices heard, even in the most desperate of circumstances.'A beautifully considered book... Clare Hunter has managed to mix the personal with the political with moving results.' TRACY CHEVALIER Read more

In 1923, Louise Mountbatten’s marriage to Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf marked a significant turning point in her life. As the Swedish Crown Princess, she was thrust into the spotlight, a life she had not wished for. During the First World War, she served as a Red Cross nurse, dedicating herself to helping others. Despite her royal birth as a Princess of Battenberg, she desired a simpler life. At the end of the war, the family adopted the name Mountbatten, and Louise vowed never to marry royalty. However, when she met her Gusty, her principle yielded to love, and she said yes despite his title - not because of it.In 1950, Louise became the Queen Consort of Sweden. To her, the title was a privilege that required a reciprocal effort, which is why she worked as hard as she could and never cancelled an engagement. She preferred to work quietly, advocating for children, women’s issues, and democracy. Today, she is unfortunately quite forgotten in historical consciousness despite being the country’s former queen. She was indeed the Queen of Sweden but also a stepmother, a wife, and not least - just Louise.Lisa Viktorsson is a historian and writer, graduated from the University of Gothenburg. She has worked with popular history in various forms, both as a writer and a podcaster. Since 2022, she has been running the Instagram account @[email protected] Read more

A Daily Mail Best History Book of the Year; A Spectator Best Book of the YearIt is generally accepted that Queen Victoria reigned but did not rule. This couldn’t be more wrong.In Queen Victoria and Her Prime Ministers, Anne Somerset masterfully traces Victoria’s political evolution, from headstrong teenager to seasoned octogenarian. This book demonstrates her passionate involvement in state affairs, and casts fresh light on her relationships with her ten prime ministers.Victoria herself acknowledged that when it came to ‘likes and dislikes’ of her prime ministers, ‘she had them very strongly’. She showed girlish adoration for her first Prime Minister, the worldly-wise Lord Melbourne, whose delightful conversation and kindly guidance enchanted her. Later in her reign, Benjamin Disraeli – who flattered her shamelessly, tirelessly praising her sagacity and judgement and filling her life with ‘poetry, romance and chivalry’ – became her favourite.While she developed a powerful bond with several of her Prime Ministers, in other cases the relationship fell little short of mutual detestation. Victoria’s keenest antipathy was reserved for Disraeli’s great rival, the Liberal William Gladstone. When he became prime minister for a fourth time at the age of 82, Victoria declared it ‘a bad joke’ that this ‘dangerous old fanatic’ should be ‘thrust down her throat’.Queen Victoria and Her Prime Ministers charts the bitter clashes and affectionate interactions Victoria had with her ten premiers in often hilarious detail. Drawing extensively on unpublished sources such as material from the Royal Archives and never-before-seen prime ministerial papers, it casts a fresh and highly illuminating perspective not just on Victoria, but on the exceptionally able politicians who served her in government. Read more