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Perilous Question: Reform or Revolution? Britain on the Brink, 1832
Antonia Fraser's Perilous Question is a dazzling re-creation of the tempestuous two-year period in Britain's history leading up to the passing of the Great Reform Bill in 1832, a narrative which at times reads like a political thriller.
The era, beginning with the accession of William IV, is evoked in the novels of Trollope and Thackeray, and described by the young Charles Dickens as a cub reporter. It is lit with notable characters. The reforming heroes are the Whig aristocrats led by Lord Grey, members of the richest and most landed cabinet in history yet determined to bring liberty, which would whittle away their own power, to the country. The all-too-conservative opposition was headed by the Duke of Wellington, supported by the intransigent Queen Adelaide, with hereditary memories of the French Revolution. Finally, there were revolutionaries, like William Cobbett, the author of Rural Rides, the radical tailor Francis Place, and Thomas Attwood of Birmingham, the charismatic orator. The contest often grew violent. There were urban riots put down by soldiers and agricultural riots led by the mythical Captain Swing.
The underlying grievance was the fate of the many disfranchised people. They were ignored by a medieval system of electoral representation that gave, for example, no votes to those who lived in the new industrial cities of Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, and Birmingham, while allocating two parliamentary representatives to a village long since fallen into the sea and, most notoriously, Old Sarum, a green mound in a field. Lord John Russell, a Whig minister, said long afterwards that it was the only period when he genuinely felt popular revolution threatened the country. The Duke of Wellington declared intractably in November 1830 that “The beginning of reform is the beginning of revolution.” So it seemed that disaster must fall on the British Parliament, or the monarchy, or both.
The question Could a rotten system reform itself in time? On June 7, 1832, the date of the extremely reluctant royal assent by William IV to the Great Reform Bill, it did. These events led to a total change in the way Britain was governed, and set the stage for its growth as the world's most successful industrial power; admired, among other things, for its traditions of good governance—a two-year revolution that Antonia Fraser brings to vivid dramatic life.
The era, beginning with the accession of William IV, is evoked in the novels of Trollope and Thackeray, and described by the young Charles Dickens as a cub reporter. It is lit with notable characters. The reforming heroes are the Whig aristocrats led by Lord Grey, members of the richest and most landed cabinet in history yet determined to bring liberty, which would whittle away their own power, to the country. The all-too-conservative opposition was headed by the Duke of Wellington, supported by the intransigent Queen Adelaide, with hereditary memories of the French Revolution. Finally, there were revolutionaries, like William Cobbett, the author of Rural Rides, the radical tailor Francis Place, and Thomas Attwood of Birmingham, the charismatic orator. The contest often grew violent. There were urban riots put down by soldiers and agricultural riots led by the mythical Captain Swing.
The underlying grievance was the fate of the many disfranchised people. They were ignored by a medieval system of electoral representation that gave, for example, no votes to those who lived in the new industrial cities of Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, and Birmingham, while allocating two parliamentary representatives to a village long since fallen into the sea and, most notoriously, Old Sarum, a green mound in a field. Lord John Russell, a Whig minister, said long afterwards that it was the only period when he genuinely felt popular revolution threatened the country. The Duke of Wellington declared intractably in November 1830 that “The beginning of reform is the beginning of revolution.” So it seemed that disaster must fall on the British Parliament, or the monarchy, or both.
The question Could a rotten system reform itself in time? On June 7, 1832, the date of the extremely reluctant royal assent by William IV to the Great Reform Bill, it did. These events led to a total change in the way Britain was governed, and set the stage for its growth as the world's most successful industrial power; admired, among other things, for its traditions of good governance—a two-year revolution that Antonia Fraser brings to vivid dramatic life.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
35 people are currently reading
489 people want to read
About the author
Antonia Fraser
183 books1,493 followersAntonia Fraser is the author of many widely acclaimed historical works, including the biographies Mary, Queen of Scots (a 40th anniversary edition was published in May 2009), Cromwell: Our Chief of Men, King Charles II and The Gunpowder Plot (CWA Non-Fiction Gold Dagger; St Louis Literary Award). She has written five highly praised books which focus on women in history, The Weaker Vessel: Women's Lot in Seventeenth Century Britain (Wolfson Award for History, 1984), The Warrior Queens: Boadecia's Chariot, The Six Wives of Henry VIII, Marie Antoinette: The Journey (Franco-British Literary Prize 2001), which was made into a film by Sofia Coppola in 2006 and most recently Love and Louis XIV: The Women in the Life of the Sun King. She was awarded the Norton Medlicott Medal by the Historical Association in 2000. Antonia Fraser was made DBE in 2011 for her services to literature. Her most recent book is Must You Go?, celebrating her life with Harold Pinter, who died on Christmas Eve 2008. She lives in London.
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August 26, 2025
A Long Time Coming
Antonia Fraser has long been a popular historian due to the topics she covers and the sense of drama and humanity she gives to her subjects. I find her writing style easy to read if it doesn’t always flow. Perilous Question: The Drama of the Great Reform Bill, 1832 is a great example of her style, not wholly a perfect read from start to finish, but instead of a dry account of parliamentary wrangling, she gives us a genuinely gripping story about how close the United Kingdom came to the brink of revolution and how reform just barely carried the day.
The period she covers, 1830–1832, could easily be overlooked compared to the French Revolution or the Victorian era that followed. But Fraser shows that these two years were just as perilous, with Britain standing at a crossroads. The outdated electoral system with its notorious rotten boroughs such as Old Sarum (an uninhabited hill which elected two members to parliament) and complete underrepresentation of industrial cities like Manchester and Birmingham was deeply unjust. At the same time, the public mood was volatile, with reformers pressing hard from below and conservatives digging in their heels. The book really conveys how fragile the system was, and how real the danger of upheaval became.
What makes Fraser’s account so engaging is her character work. Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, the Whig Prime Minister, comes across as a reluctant but ultimately courageous reformer. He is a man torn between his aristocratic instincts and the urgent need for change, a politician who would have preferred to avoid sweeping reform but who found himself leading the charge because he knew the alternative could be catastrophic. His hesitation, his dignity, and his final resolve make him one of the most compelling figures in the book.
On the opposite side stands Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington. Fraser shows him as the very embodiment of the old order: stern, unbending, and utterly convinced that reform would be disastrous. The qualities that made him a brilliant soldier, such as the iron will, the refusal to yield an inch served him less well in politics. Yet Fraser never caricatures him. Instead, she presents Wellington as a man of principle, admirable in his way but increasingly out of touch with a society that was changing around him.
Then there is King William IV, who is often remembered in history as bumbling or ineffective. Fraser offers a more sympathetic portrayal, suggesting that he was essentially an honest man trying to do his best under impossible circumstances. He is sometimes comic, sometimes exasperating, but ultimately human, caught between a reforming ministry, a resistant House of Lords, and his own anxieties about monarchy and stability.
Fraser also pays close attention to the voices outside Parliament, particularly radicals like William Cobbett and Francis Place. Their presence in the book reminds us that the Reform crisis was not just a matter of high politics but also a groundswell of public opinion and popular agitation. Through them, we see the passions of ordinary people, such as the demand for representation, the anger at corruption, and the sense that change could no longer be postponed. Their writings and activism give the story a pulse that keeps it connected to life beyond Westminster.
Fraser has a knack for weaving political debates with human detail. We get the drama of votes, debates, and backroom maneuvering, but also moments of humor and personality, such as anecdotes that bring to life just how eccentric, stubborn, or surprisingly modern these figures could be.
What I appreciate is the accessibility of the history, a period not often covered, is made into a thriller. Even knowing the outcome, I found myself turning the pages with genuine suspense as riots broke out in the streets, the House of Lords resisted, and the monarchy wavered. Fraser’s pacing is excellent: she balances the necessary political detail with a strong narrative drive, so the stakes feel very real. That said, I will admit there are sections that are heavy, especially early on, when she introduces many political players and explains the workings of the unreformed electoral system. If you do not already have some base knowledge here, you may struggle. Furthermore, as I have mentioned I’m not overly a fan of Fraser’s style, there’s just something about it that’s off for me. This made the read slower than it should have been in places.
In the end, Perilous Question succeeds on two levels: it’s a good piece of narrative history and a powerful reminder of how precarious Britain’s political system once was. Without reform, revolution might have been inevitable. Fraser convinces us that the passage of the Reform Act in 1832 really was a ‘perilous question’ where the UK stood on a knife-edge moment that reshaped its political landscape. It is recommended for anyone interested in British history, political drama, or just good storytelling.
Antonia Fraser has long been a popular historian due to the topics she covers and the sense of drama and humanity she gives to her subjects. I find her writing style easy to read if it doesn’t always flow. Perilous Question: The Drama of the Great Reform Bill, 1832 is a great example of her style, not wholly a perfect read from start to finish, but instead of a dry account of parliamentary wrangling, she gives us a genuinely gripping story about how close the United Kingdom came to the brink of revolution and how reform just barely carried the day.
The period she covers, 1830–1832, could easily be overlooked compared to the French Revolution or the Victorian era that followed. But Fraser shows that these two years were just as perilous, with Britain standing at a crossroads. The outdated electoral system with its notorious rotten boroughs such as Old Sarum (an uninhabited hill which elected two members to parliament) and complete underrepresentation of industrial cities like Manchester and Birmingham was deeply unjust. At the same time, the public mood was volatile, with reformers pressing hard from below and conservatives digging in their heels. The book really conveys how fragile the system was, and how real the danger of upheaval became.
What makes Fraser’s account so engaging is her character work. Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, the Whig Prime Minister, comes across as a reluctant but ultimately courageous reformer. He is a man torn between his aristocratic instincts and the urgent need for change, a politician who would have preferred to avoid sweeping reform but who found himself leading the charge because he knew the alternative could be catastrophic. His hesitation, his dignity, and his final resolve make him one of the most compelling figures in the book.
On the opposite side stands Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington. Fraser shows him as the very embodiment of the old order: stern, unbending, and utterly convinced that reform would be disastrous. The qualities that made him a brilliant soldier, such as the iron will, the refusal to yield an inch served him less well in politics. Yet Fraser never caricatures him. Instead, she presents Wellington as a man of principle, admirable in his way but increasingly out of touch with a society that was changing around him.
Then there is King William IV, who is often remembered in history as bumbling or ineffective. Fraser offers a more sympathetic portrayal, suggesting that he was essentially an honest man trying to do his best under impossible circumstances. He is sometimes comic, sometimes exasperating, but ultimately human, caught between a reforming ministry, a resistant House of Lords, and his own anxieties about monarchy and stability.
Fraser also pays close attention to the voices outside Parliament, particularly radicals like William Cobbett and Francis Place. Their presence in the book reminds us that the Reform crisis was not just a matter of high politics but also a groundswell of public opinion and popular agitation. Through them, we see the passions of ordinary people, such as the demand for representation, the anger at corruption, and the sense that change could no longer be postponed. Their writings and activism give the story a pulse that keeps it connected to life beyond Westminster.
Fraser has a knack for weaving political debates with human detail. We get the drama of votes, debates, and backroom maneuvering, but also moments of humor and personality, such as anecdotes that bring to life just how eccentric, stubborn, or surprisingly modern these figures could be.
What I appreciate is the accessibility of the history, a period not often covered, is made into a thriller. Even knowing the outcome, I found myself turning the pages with genuine suspense as riots broke out in the streets, the House of Lords resisted, and the monarchy wavered. Fraser’s pacing is excellent: she balances the necessary political detail with a strong narrative drive, so the stakes feel very real. That said, I will admit there are sections that are heavy, especially early on, when she introduces many political players and explains the workings of the unreformed electoral system. If you do not already have some base knowledge here, you may struggle. Furthermore, as I have mentioned I’m not overly a fan of Fraser’s style, there’s just something about it that’s off for me. This made the read slower than it should have been in places.
In the end, Perilous Question succeeds on two levels: it’s a good piece of narrative history and a powerful reminder of how precarious Britain’s political system once was. Without reform, revolution might have been inevitable. Fraser convinces us that the passage of the Reform Act in 1832 really was a ‘perilous question’ where the UK stood on a knife-edge moment that reshaped its political landscape. It is recommended for anyone interested in British history, political drama, or just good storytelling.
May 5, 2019
DNF. I pushed on to page 135 but I'm dropping it.
It is rare for me to DNF a book, but in this instance it is not doing anything for me.
The story around the events and characters are fascinating and one of Britain's most important in relation to parliament. Yet the author's writing has left me cold and bored to the Perilous Question.
It is rare for me to DNF a book, but in this instance it is not doing anything for me.
The story around the events and characters are fascinating and one of Britain's most important in relation to parliament. Yet the author's writing has left me cold and bored to the Perilous Question.
March 19, 2018
From BBC radio 4 - Book of the Week:
'The struggle for the Great Reform Bill of 1832 took place a the crossroads of English history.' - so says Antonia Fraser in her lively and insightful account of the political change that took place during this period.
Times were in flux. The Industrial Revolution was underway. The reverberations of the French Revolution were still being felt. And the country would be ruled by a new monarch, William IV.
And political change, who and how we would vote, was now in the spotlight. Put there mainly by the
Whigs - led by Earl Grey.
Age-old corruption, rotten boroughs, even hereditary peers would feel these winds of change. But how would the Bill be made law? Bumpily and dramatically, as it turned out, and its path is followed in five episodes, which are abridged by Katrin Williams:
1. It is the beginning of the 1830's. One king has died, another has been toppled,
and the word 'reform' is in the air. But who will press for it?
Reader Adrian Scarborough
Producer Duncan Minshull.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01s...
'The struggle for the Great Reform Bill of 1832 took place a the crossroads of English history.' - so says Antonia Fraser in her lively and insightful account of the political change that took place during this period.
Times were in flux. The Industrial Revolution was underway. The reverberations of the French Revolution were still being felt. And the country would be ruled by a new monarch, William IV.
And political change, who and how we would vote, was now in the spotlight. Put there mainly by the
Whigs - led by Earl Grey.
Age-old corruption, rotten boroughs, even hereditary peers would feel these winds of change. But how would the Bill be made law? Bumpily and dramatically, as it turned out, and its path is followed in five episodes, which are abridged by Katrin Williams:
1. It is the beginning of the 1830's. One king has died, another has been toppled,
and the word 'reform' is in the air. But who will press for it?
Reader Adrian Scarborough
Producer Duncan Minshull.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01s...
March 6, 2014
Perilous Question: Reform or Revolution? Britain on the Brink, 1832
Radio 4: BOTW
non -fic
history
britain
politics
Antonia Fraser YIPPEEEEEEEEEE
pub 2013
spring 2013
Holland House
BBC blurb: "The struggle for the Great Reform Bill of 1832 took place a the crossroads of English history." - so says Antonia Fraser in her lively and insightful account of the political change that took place during this period.
Times were in flux. The Industrial Revolution was underway. The reverberations of the French Revolution were still being felt. And the country would be ruled by a new monarch, William IV.
And political change, who and how we would vote, was now in the spotlight. Put there mainly by the Whigs - led by Earl Grey.
Age-old corruption, rotten boroughs, even hereditary peers would feel these winds of change. But how would the Bill be made law? Bumpily and dramatically, as it turned out, and its path is followed in five episodes, which are abridged by Katrin Williams.
Reader Adrian Scarborough Producer Duncan Minshull.
1: It is the beginning of the 1830's. One king has died, another has been toppled, and the word 'reform' is in the air. But who will press for it?
2: The Whigs, led by Lord Grey, were the forerunners in pushing through Parliamentary reform. But who exactly were these men, and what was 'the committee'?
3: The bill to reform the voting system goes through the House of Commons but its passage in the Lords is spectacularly blocked.
4: Changes in the voting system are blocked by the House Of Lords, so anger and unrest spill onto the streets. The streets of Bristol, for instance.
5: After months of dramatic debate and hand-wringing, reform of Britain's voting system wins the day, and the bill becomes law.
Excellent.
Holland House Library 1940
3* Perilous Question
4* Must You Go
4* Marie Antoinette
3* Kings and Queens of England
3* The Gunpowder Plot
3* Wives og Henry VIII
3* Mary Queen of Scots
-------------
Radio 4: BOTW
non -fic
history
britain
politics
Antonia Fraser YIPPEEEEEEEEEE
pub 2013
spring 2013
Holland HouseBBC blurb: "The struggle for the Great Reform Bill of 1832 took place a the crossroads of English history." - so says Antonia Fraser in her lively and insightful account of the political change that took place during this period.
Times were in flux. The Industrial Revolution was underway. The reverberations of the French Revolution were still being felt. And the country would be ruled by a new monarch, William IV.
And political change, who and how we would vote, was now in the spotlight. Put there mainly by the Whigs - led by Earl Grey.
Age-old corruption, rotten boroughs, even hereditary peers would feel these winds of change. But how would the Bill be made law? Bumpily and dramatically, as it turned out, and its path is followed in five episodes, which are abridged by Katrin Williams.
Reader Adrian Scarborough Producer Duncan Minshull.
1: It is the beginning of the 1830's. One king has died, another has been toppled, and the word 'reform' is in the air. But who will press for it?
2: The Whigs, led by Lord Grey, were the forerunners in pushing through Parliamentary reform. But who exactly were these men, and what was 'the committee'?
3: The bill to reform the voting system goes through the House of Commons but its passage in the Lords is spectacularly blocked.
4: Changes in the voting system are blocked by the House Of Lords, so anger and unrest spill onto the streets. The streets of Bristol, for instance.
5: After months of dramatic debate and hand-wringing, reform of Britain's voting system wins the day, and the bill becomes law.
Excellent.
Holland House Library 19403* Perilous Question
4* Must You Go
4* Marie Antoinette
3* Kings and Queens of England
3* The Gunpowder Plot
3* Wives og Henry VIII
3* Mary Queen of Scots
-------------
July 14, 2014
Very thoroughly research, this book might be too lengthy for most, who want to know something about The 1832 Reform Act, but not in this detail. At 278 pages, Antonia Fraser has filled the book with fascinating quotes from the time, bringing to life the struggle between those who wanted reform of parliament, and those determined to retain the privileges of the few. Meanwhile, outside of parliament, the country was edging closer and closer to mass revolt. Parliamentarians were not safe in their own houses as the mob smashed windows in their fury at the lack of progress in ridding the country of the Rotten Boroughs and increasing the franchise to include a slightly larger percentage of the population.
If you wanted just an overview of these momentous 2 years in parliamentary history, then the 10 pages of the epilogue might suffice for you, but for the rest, don't give up after the first few chapters for the pace of the book picks up, after a slow difficult start, as parliamentary assent gets close.
This book provides a partial social history of the time but falls short of commenting much on the dreadful starvation and deprivation under which many people were trying to exist at the time except to note that there had been a series of appalling harvests followed by severe winter weather that “bedevilled” a country already “in the throes of economic distress following the end of the Napoleonic Wars”.”. For that, go to other commentaries, or even "The Life and Adventures of William Cobbett" by Richard Ingrams, for more on determination of the rural poor that something had to change and why the lack of progress almost lead to revolution. As Antonia Fraser says when quoting Cobbett: “I defy you to agitate a fellow with a full stomache”.
So, depending on your interests and stamina, this is either a great read, or an overly lengthy drawn out dissertation on the parliamentary progress of the 1832 Reform Act. I found it hard work but worth the effort to get to the end and now I feel I understand why an Act that seemingly achieved little, prevented both revolution and opened the door to both further necessary reform and the soon coming Victorian era of government.
If you wanted just an overview of these momentous 2 years in parliamentary history, then the 10 pages of the epilogue might suffice for you, but for the rest, don't give up after the first few chapters for the pace of the book picks up, after a slow difficult start, as parliamentary assent gets close.
This book provides a partial social history of the time but falls short of commenting much on the dreadful starvation and deprivation under which many people were trying to exist at the time except to note that there had been a series of appalling harvests followed by severe winter weather that “bedevilled” a country already “in the throes of economic distress following the end of the Napoleonic Wars”.”. For that, go to other commentaries, or even "The Life and Adventures of William Cobbett" by Richard Ingrams, for more on determination of the rural poor that something had to change and why the lack of progress almost lead to revolution. As Antonia Fraser says when quoting Cobbett: “I defy you to agitate a fellow with a full stomache”.
So, depending on your interests and stamina, this is either a great read, or an overly lengthy drawn out dissertation on the parliamentary progress of the 1832 Reform Act. I found it hard work but worth the effort to get to the end and now I feel I understand why an Act that seemingly achieved little, prevented both revolution and opened the door to both further necessary reform and the soon coming Victorian era of government.
January 24, 2015
This book is more like a contemporary newspaper account than a history. It is filled with politics, personalities, gossip and current events, but lacks historical perspective. The author does make a good case that the individual personalities of key players such as Wellington, Grey, and the king were important to the way that the drama played out, and she argues persuasively that the general perception that the country was on the brink of revolution was more important than the reality that was not, but a good history should also provide context and perspective, which I found to be generally lacking in this book. I would have liked to learn more about the background of the system that was being reformed, more about the consequences of the bill, and more about the details of what it did and didn't do and why.
January 18, 2024
Don't let the extreme dryness of the subject matter put you off, this is a stellar read. I was.... wary. I'm familiar with the rise of Democracy in Britain but it's hardly a subject I will bound out of bed in the morning to read about. However I had a few drinks and decided to just give it a go and I'm happy to say drunken me can pick a good 'un.
The whole narrative is kept very light. It touches upon points without falling into exposition that all historians love, "Oh here's a quote, and here's a chapter about the quote", thanks.... but Fraser here weaves a tale beautifully. I suspect part of what makes it so engaging is the wealth of quotes. It feels so quote heavy that it comes off a bit like a story at times. Which I suspect offsets some of the dryness of the subject. You avoid terribly dull explanations of how people are feeling by instead being presented with diaries and letters from the people themselves. It's ever so gripping. The narrative is split between speeches in the Commons and Lords and from newspaper articles and people on the street, hinting towards a powder keg situation which could blow up at any time.
It also will no doubt reaffirm any feelings of general dislike you have for politicians. Times have changed and the language may be less flamboyant than it was, but half the quotes and speeches you see here could just as easily be made by MPs alive today. Nothing gets your blood boiling quite like hearing another speech from another Tory MP about the idea that giving great unwashed some benefit or other will ultimately lead to the downfall of the country. As now, as it was then, perhaps the reason they don't want to change something because it means they'll lose out themselves? Whether an MP is voted in or selected to run a Rotten Borough for daddy, it seems the end result is the same. So if anything, this book makes you wonder if perhaps it's time for another Reform Bill.
The whole narrative is kept very light. It touches upon points without falling into exposition that all historians love, "Oh here's a quote, and here's a chapter about the quote", thanks.... but Fraser here weaves a tale beautifully. I suspect part of what makes it so engaging is the wealth of quotes. It feels so quote heavy that it comes off a bit like a story at times. Which I suspect offsets some of the dryness of the subject. You avoid terribly dull explanations of how people are feeling by instead being presented with diaries and letters from the people themselves. It's ever so gripping. The narrative is split between speeches in the Commons and Lords and from newspaper articles and people on the street, hinting towards a powder keg situation which could blow up at any time.
It also will no doubt reaffirm any feelings of general dislike you have for politicians. Times have changed and the language may be less flamboyant than it was, but half the quotes and speeches you see here could just as easily be made by MPs alive today. Nothing gets your blood boiling quite like hearing another speech from another Tory MP about the idea that giving great unwashed some benefit or other will ultimately lead to the downfall of the country. As now, as it was then, perhaps the reason they don't want to change something because it means they'll lose out themselves? Whether an MP is voted in or selected to run a Rotten Borough for daddy, it seems the end result is the same. So if anything, this book makes you wonder if perhaps it's time for another Reform Bill.
July 8, 2022
Antonia Fraser elucidates the time when Britain was arguably the closest to revolution in its post-1688 history. The political establishment was heavy with those seeking to preclude revolution and defuse incendiarism; the Whigs, headed by Earl Grey, sought such an end by propagating and securing the passage of the bill while the Tories did so by invidiously opposing what they perceived to be a catalyst for the kind of convulsion that would force an end to the mixed constitution, setting Britain on a similar path to that of France.
Throughout, two spectres lingered. One was of the events of France in 1789, a path feared by both Tories and Whigs. Another, was the English Civil War. Contemporaries could see particularly strong parallels with both, especially because Queen Adelaide, as a foreign princess, supposedly unduly influencing the actions of her husband seemed similar to the situation with Marie Antoinette and Henrietta Maria respectively.
The path of William IV's popular image in relation to reform - from supposed vanguard to unfortunate traitor and back to supporter - is particularly interesting. Nonetheless, Fraser paints the Duke of Wellington's popular support as downward and downward, the war hero, aloof from reality, rejected by his people on domestic issues. It many ways, it somewhat mirrors the position of Churchill in 1945: successful in leading his country in war though rejected by his people on domestic issues at the 1945 General Election.
Throughout, two spectres lingered. One was of the events of France in 1789, a path feared by both Tories and Whigs. Another, was the English Civil War. Contemporaries could see particularly strong parallels with both, especially because Queen Adelaide, as a foreign princess, supposedly unduly influencing the actions of her husband seemed similar to the situation with Marie Antoinette and Henrietta Maria respectively.
The path of William IV's popular image in relation to reform - from supposed vanguard to unfortunate traitor and back to supporter - is particularly interesting. Nonetheless, Fraser paints the Duke of Wellington's popular support as downward and downward, the war hero, aloof from reality, rejected by his people on domestic issues. It many ways, it somewhat mirrors the position of Churchill in 1945: successful in leading his country in war though rejected by his people on domestic issues at the 1945 General Election.
June 20, 2023
The Great Reform Act was passed in Britain in 1832. In passing this bill, the British Parliament introduced major changes to the electoral system that was in place in England and Wales. This Act gave representation to cities and expanded the amount of people that were able to vote in elections to include tenant farmers. This also was a shining moment for the women's suffrage movement in the targeting of language in laws that hindered women from being able to represent themselves and have a vote.
I knew nothing about this Act prior to reading this book, and the only reason I even got it was because of the author. I have always enjoyed Antonia Fraser's work, and this was no exception. Her work is always very meticulously researched and easy to follow, making it an enjoyable and educational read. I have a couple of other books of hers left to read, and I am very much looking forward to them as well.
I knew nothing about this Act prior to reading this book, and the only reason I even got it was because of the author. I have always enjoyed Antonia Fraser's work, and this was no exception. Her work is always very meticulously researched and easy to follow, making it an enjoyable and educational read. I have a couple of other books of hers left to read, and I am very much looking forward to them as well.
June 24, 2021
For a history and politics nerd, this is a nearly perfect book. Antonia Fraser throws you right in to the middle of the action - if you don't know who the Duke of Wellington was, or what the main results of the Glorious Revolution were, you'll want to bone up on Wikipedia first.
But this is an excellent and ultimately stirring account of the Great Reform Bill. Its immediacy reminds me of modern political "insider stories." The one I'm most familiar with is "Game Change" by Mark Halperin, about the 2008 election.
"Perilous Question" has all the same pieces as modern political drama, but one can't escape the feeling that the players--Lord Grey, William IV, yes, even the Iron Duke--have infinitely more nobility and honesty than today's partisan apparatchiks.
But this is an excellent and ultimately stirring account of the Great Reform Bill. Its immediacy reminds me of modern political "insider stories." The one I'm most familiar with is "Game Change" by Mark Halperin, about the 2008 election.
"Perilous Question" has all the same pieces as modern political drama, but one can't escape the feeling that the players--Lord Grey, William IV, yes, even the Iron Duke--have infinitely more nobility and honesty than today's partisan apparatchiks.
May 17, 2017
Nearly a day-by-day narrative of the two-year British period leading up to passing Great Reform Bill in 1832. It feels that every parliamentarian is brought into the account! The story starts with the accession of William IV (discussed n the novels of Trollope and Thackeray; and, the young Charles Dickens describes the events as a cub reporter.)
So many lives that were brought to life in this narrative: Lord Grey, Duke of Wellington, Queen Adelaide, William IV
I have read several historical fiction novels that left me wondering about the REAL grievance behind this Reform process, i.e., too many English folks who were "disfranchised people.” There were so many English people not included in voting just because of a medieval system, for example NO votes for the new industrial cities of Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, and Birmingham, BUT two representatives for villages long since fallen into the sea and, most notoriously, Old Sarum.
Antonia Fraser adds a little too much detail for me…Fraser presented the letters, speeches, and descriptions of so many Parliamentarians! Nevertheless, I skimmed it all to get a sense of the conflict. On June 7, 1832, after 2 years, the “extremely reluctant royal assent by William IV” was given to the Great Reform Bill…and it probably avoided a revolution that would have been a lot like France. The Reform Bill totally changed the way Britain was governed. But I won’t forget that there was still a lot of work to do…give the vote to non-land holders, to women, secret ballot, etc.
So many lives that were brought to life in this narrative: Lord Grey, Duke of Wellington, Queen Adelaide, William IV
I have read several historical fiction novels that left me wondering about the REAL grievance behind this Reform process, i.e., too many English folks who were "disfranchised people.” There were so many English people not included in voting just because of a medieval system, for example NO votes for the new industrial cities of Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, and Birmingham, BUT two representatives for villages long since fallen into the sea and, most notoriously, Old Sarum.
Antonia Fraser adds a little too much detail for me…Fraser presented the letters, speeches, and descriptions of so many Parliamentarians! Nevertheless, I skimmed it all to get a sense of the conflict. On June 7, 1832, after 2 years, the “extremely reluctant royal assent by William IV” was given to the Great Reform Bill…and it probably avoided a revolution that would have been a lot like France. The Reform Bill totally changed the way Britain was governed. But I won’t forget that there was still a lot of work to do…give the vote to non-land holders, to women, secret ballot, etc.
June 28, 2014
While I think it would have been helpful to give a bit more information (for ignorant people such as myself) about British politics in the 19th century, I enjoyed reading Fraser's account of the efforts to pass the reform bill. The ploys used--like threatening to ask the King to create new nobles if the House of Lords didn't pass the bill--required some cultural understanding. But the King had to cooperate--the Lords had to believe that he might do it for it to be any threat at all. The belief that if reform didn't pass, revolution such as France had faced would be in the offing convinced many of the non-believers in reform. But the peaceful protests of 10s of thousands helped since the "mob" frightened many even if they "appeared" peaceful.
June 13, 2019
Fraser has taken some dangerously nerdy information and woven a compelling drama about the struggle to pass a British reform bill from 1830-1832.
Books like this are quite useful reminders that we are not the first people to face seemingly insoluble political problems, to deal with an imperious wealthy class determined to protect its privileges, or to worry that our entire system of government is on the verge of failing, leaving behind chaos.
Fraser shows how a determined band of pro-reform Whigs, led by an admirable Earl Grey, finally succeeded in moving their nation a crucial step towards democracy.
I also found it very interesting to learn more about king William IV, that predecessor of Victoria who's history has been overshadowed by his famous niece.
Books like this are quite useful reminders that we are not the first people to face seemingly insoluble political problems, to deal with an imperious wealthy class determined to protect its privileges, or to worry that our entire system of government is on the verge of failing, leaving behind chaos.
Fraser shows how a determined band of pro-reform Whigs, led by an admirable Earl Grey, finally succeeded in moving their nation a crucial step towards democracy.
I also found it very interesting to learn more about king William IV, that predecessor of Victoria who's history has been overshadowed by his famous niece.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2013
This told me far more than I wanted to know about the reform of the British parliament in 1832.
March 19, 2025
3.5/5
This book is on one of the most fascinating (and underrated) parts of history. I had not heard of the Great Reform Act of 1832 before reading this book, but I had heard of the main in this story: Earl Grey. Besides being the namesake of my favourite tea, The 2nd Earl Grey (a Whig) acceded to the premiership after the Duke of Wellington (a Tory) declared he would never accept liberal reforms of parliament in any measure, and was subsequently defeated by a measure in the House of Commons.
Parliament at this time wasn’t like the legislature of the modern day: it featured seats completely out of proportion with population, only enfranchised the richest in the country, allowed some members of the House of Lords to essentially buy and sell seats in the Commons (the so called rotten boroughs), and just generally biased the Torries against the sentiment of the average person. The country in 1830 was in a state of near revolution, with workers demonstrating against changing economic conditions (the introduction of the factory) and a young middle class demanding political representation. The Whig’s attempts to carry reforms to parliament were stymied on two occasions by the House of Lords, which rejected the Reform Act passed by the Commons, nearly leading to a collapse of the Whig government and possible civil war between reformers and conservatives. However, in the end, popular pressure campaigns from middle class Radicals and manoeuvring by ministers and members of the royal household allowed the bill to be carried in the Lords.
While the book was interesting, the author struggled to find a focus and so much of the writing felt scattered. I think a book centered on fewer points of view, and one that also took into account the greater historical trends at play more often, would have been better. I will say that the last fourth of the book we written much better than the first part. This is my reason for only giving 3.5 stars, this is a fascinating topic and this book could have been so much more.
Nevertheless, this’s entire saga seems incredibly relevant to modern America, a country with a political system infected by money and special interests. Lessons can be learned from Lord Grey, the elder statesman and lifelong reformer who convinced the establishment reform was not revolution (as had taken place in dreaded France). People like Thomas Atwood, a radical liberal and future republican who led the most influential political union of middle snd working class people in Britain, the Birmingham Political Union, which applied pressure on parliament for reform while remaining peaceful to assuage fears of revolution. And the character of William IV, the king who was uncomfortably led into reform.
This book is on one of the most fascinating (and underrated) parts of history. I had not heard of the Great Reform Act of 1832 before reading this book, but I had heard of the main in this story: Earl Grey. Besides being the namesake of my favourite tea, The 2nd Earl Grey (a Whig) acceded to the premiership after the Duke of Wellington (a Tory) declared he would never accept liberal reforms of parliament in any measure, and was subsequently defeated by a measure in the House of Commons.
Parliament at this time wasn’t like the legislature of the modern day: it featured seats completely out of proportion with population, only enfranchised the richest in the country, allowed some members of the House of Lords to essentially buy and sell seats in the Commons (the so called rotten boroughs), and just generally biased the Torries against the sentiment of the average person. The country in 1830 was in a state of near revolution, with workers demonstrating against changing economic conditions (the introduction of the factory) and a young middle class demanding political representation. The Whig’s attempts to carry reforms to parliament were stymied on two occasions by the House of Lords, which rejected the Reform Act passed by the Commons, nearly leading to a collapse of the Whig government and possible civil war between reformers and conservatives. However, in the end, popular pressure campaigns from middle class Radicals and manoeuvring by ministers and members of the royal household allowed the bill to be carried in the Lords.
While the book was interesting, the author struggled to find a focus and so much of the writing felt scattered. I think a book centered on fewer points of view, and one that also took into account the greater historical trends at play more often, would have been better. I will say that the last fourth of the book we written much better than the first part. This is my reason for only giving 3.5 stars, this is a fascinating topic and this book could have been so much more.
Nevertheless, this’s entire saga seems incredibly relevant to modern America, a country with a political system infected by money and special interests. Lessons can be learned from Lord Grey, the elder statesman and lifelong reformer who convinced the establishment reform was not revolution (as had taken place in dreaded France). People like Thomas Atwood, a radical liberal and future republican who led the most influential political union of middle snd working class people in Britain, the Birmingham Political Union, which applied pressure on parliament for reform while remaining peaceful to assuage fears of revolution. And the character of William IV, the king who was uncomfortably led into reform.
March 26, 2022
This took some effort to finish! Objectively speaking, there is nothing wrong per se with Antonia Fraser's 'Perilous Question: The Drama of the Great Reform Bill 1832'. It is grammatically coherent and researched enough to justify being a published history book. Those two qualities do not make a book good, however. Although there were no spelling errors, Fraser often phrases sentences in a strange way, making them difficult to read. The author also assumes a large amount of preexisting knowledge in the reader. I study the period, but some of Fraser's information was even lost on me.
My main issue with this book, however, was its content. I initially picked it up to learn more about the repercussions and debates leading up to the Great Reform Bill of 1832 among the general population. In particular, I was interested in the North of England, but I would have settled for a national working-class. This book is barely about that. Instead, it is about the 'drama' (or gossip) between politicians and aristocracy. Maybe I alone think that this monumental Act's national and class-based repercussions are more important than the King and Queen's domestic troubles. Surely that is more relevant to our contemporary period, though.
I am struggling to see what the point of this book was beyond frivolous entertainment. Fraser says in her introduction that she wrote the book out of curiosity, and it shows. There is an evident lack of direction and focus on 'character and personality' - as Fraser puts it - than politics and history. Add to this the now-dated biased modern political commentary Fraser threads throughout, and I really did not enjoy this book. I honestly could not recommend it to anyone. Hopefully, someone else will complete another study into the Act in the future.
My main issue with this book, however, was its content. I initially picked it up to learn more about the repercussions and debates leading up to the Great Reform Bill of 1832 among the general population. In particular, I was interested in the North of England, but I would have settled for a national working-class. This book is barely about that. Instead, it is about the 'drama' (or gossip) between politicians and aristocracy. Maybe I alone think that this monumental Act's national and class-based repercussions are more important than the King and Queen's domestic troubles. Surely that is more relevant to our contemporary period, though.
I am struggling to see what the point of this book was beyond frivolous entertainment. Fraser says in her introduction that she wrote the book out of curiosity, and it shows. There is an evident lack of direction and focus on 'character and personality' - as Fraser puts it - than politics and history. Add to this the now-dated biased modern political commentary Fraser threads throughout, and I really did not enjoy this book. I honestly could not recommend it to anyone. Hopefully, someone else will complete another study into the Act in the future.
August 18, 2020
A charmingly written history of a too-overlooked period in modern political history: the early 1830s debate over the Great Reform Bill, to expand the British electorate and reform the "rotten boroughs." Fraser ably tells the story of this clash, with conservatives fearing that concessions would undermine Britain's timeless constitution and threaten revolution, while reformers thought that Reform was the only way to head off that revolution. (Also covered, to a lesser extent, are the activists who thought that some revolutionary change was just what Britain needed.)
The first parts of the book can feel like one capsule biography after the other, of aristocratic British lords and MPs with a tendency to blend together. But Fraser has a lively pen and an eye for good anecdotes that keep things moving even when the exposition threatens to overwhelm the narrative. Accessible for general history fans as well as specialists, and recommended.
The first parts of the book can feel like one capsule biography after the other, of aristocratic British lords and MPs with a tendency to blend together. But Fraser has a lively pen and an eye for good anecdotes that keep things moving even when the exposition threatens to overwhelm the narrative. Accessible for general history fans as well as specialists, and recommended.
July 21, 2024
Without a doubt a highly interesting period of history on account of its importance. Fraser's summary does well to emphasise its importance and its interesting points - the topic could potentially be quite dry but I found the whole story very enjoyable. She manages to boil it down to a small cast of essential characters who all come to life in the depiction. It all flows quite smoothly, with the main obstacles to the bill passing being clear at each point. Also an interesting reflection of wider society at the time, though the account is focused singularly on the Reform Act: outside topics that were crucial to the period like abolitionism do not come up. It was particularly fascinating to learn more about Lord Grey, clearly a hero in our history for the passing of this bill and his actions following the subsequent election, but in Fraser's book he comes to life as a political stalwart who gave everything of himself to the cause. Along with many others.
March 7, 2022
An informative and helpful account - up to a point - about the political goings-on of the era. But I did not care for the writer's style. She makes many digressions, not always particularly helpful ones, e.g. about who was whose mistress. I tried listening to the book initially on Audible, but the narrator didn't always seem to know where he was heading with these digressions either, so I reverted to a print copy.
However, my main objection is that she underplays to a considerable extent the role of Lord Durham in bringing the bill to fruition, and his long-standing status in the country as a campaigner for democratic reform. Ironically, the cartoon on the front cover of the hard copy shows Lord Durham in prime position on the stage coach 'Reform' alongside the the Prime Minister, Earl Grey, so the cartoonist was certainly aware of his importance.
However, my main objection is that she underplays to a considerable extent the role of Lord Durham in bringing the bill to fruition, and his long-standing status in the country as a campaigner for democratic reform. Ironically, the cartoon on the front cover of the hard copy shows Lord Durham in prime position on the stage coach 'Reform' alongside the the Prime Minister, Earl Grey, so the cartoonist was certainly aware of his importance.
September 14, 2022
I read this book for my Eliot/Middlemarch project to provide some historical context.
In my time on this earth I have often wondered about the US and France and their revolutions and why the same thing did not occur in Britain. It is this time period (1830s), which provides the answer. I enjoyed this book overall because I learned a lot about key players and also the way that Parliament worked at the time. I do think there were aspects of this book that were underdeveloped. The focus felt a bit too narrow at times and it felt challenging to see the larger picture.
I will say that after reading this I want to read some of Fraser's more well known works.
In my time on this earth I have often wondered about the US and France and their revolutions and why the same thing did not occur in Britain. It is this time period (1830s), which provides the answer. I enjoyed this book overall because I learned a lot about key players and also the way that Parliament worked at the time. I do think there were aspects of this book that were underdeveloped. The focus felt a bit too narrow at times and it felt challenging to see the larger picture.
I will say that after reading this I want to read some of Fraser's more well known works.
June 4, 2019
This was a fun read that focused on the drama and debates of the passage of the Reform Bill of 1832 in Britain. The book focuses on the characters involved and tells a very entertaining story. It shows the machinations of individuals, including using public outcry, to increase suffrage and eliminate rotten boroughs. I read it to help teach my European history class. While this probably wasn't the most efficient use of my time, it was relaxing and enjoyable. And, without doubt, I have a better grip on the causes and effects of the bills passage.
April 2, 2021
An excellent history of the Reform Act of 1832; Lady Antonia clearly sympathizes with the Whigs but she is fair-minded in her treatment of others, especially William IV. This is of the best recent treatments of the politics of the era and Fraser writes in an amiable and interesting style. It may not be for everyone; lots of obscure names fill the pages so a passing knowledge of contemporary British parliamentarians and peers of the era is helpful. If your interested in 19th Cent Britain, this is a must-read.
December 19, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The writing is, well, "sprightly," not least because the author is able to lead the reader through some complicated bits of legal rigamarole without getting lost. My only quibble is this: I wish there'd been an appendix or an introduction that laid out the common thinking in Britain about the issue of the great Reform Bill. I'm not British, so it wasn't clear to me if the author was echoing previous arguments or subtly undercutting them.
February 6, 2021
While I wouldn't consider this among Fraser's best, I did like that she set the scene quite well from the perspective of someone who would have been in the thick of the action of the time period. Many society snippets are included amongst the research, and while they are worth perhaps a handful of salt more than a grain, they are still valuable for shedding light on a general perspective. While I enjoyed this book for the most part, at times it was a bit tedious to slog through.
January 3, 2022
Hugely enjoyable account of the political, social and royal machinations behind the passage of the 1832 bill. I'd always struggled to understand 18th/early 19th century british politics, and the relationship between the people and the largely aristocratic (in makeup and by selection) house of Commons and Lords membership - after reading this account, I feel I finally get it. It's a genuinely exciting episode, with many barriers despite the passage of reform feeling inevitable in hindsight.
November 9, 2024
I took a while to get through the first third if this book…and then raced to the finish!
Really enjoyable on a subject I knew nothing about, well written, interesting and thought provoking this book is a rare thing - a real surprise. I expected little when I picked it up but I recognised the author’s name and found myself intrigued.
I would recommend you give this a go, and stick with it through the busy early section.
Really enjoyable on a subject I knew nothing about, well written, interesting and thought provoking this book is a rare thing - a real surprise. I expected little when I picked it up but I recognised the author’s name and found myself intrigued.
I would recommend you give this a go, and stick with it through the busy early section.
January 23, 2018
Sprawling tale of change. Antonia Fraser describes the personalities and politics of the Great Reform Act in a enthralling manner with detailed assessment of the major players. This story of change driven by a divided elite is entertaining but never quite clarifies the reasoning for such a shift in culture.
May 18, 2022
I enjoyed Antonia Fraser's book on Marie Antoinette, so thought I would try this. It is a struggle. I would like her to step back from the minutiae, detailed descriptions of the nobility and their brilliant quotes, and see her explain more clearly the arguments for and against reform. Of course the top end of town did not want to surrender power, but tell us more.
August 21, 2017
Review to follow
July 1, 2018
An excellent blow-by-blow account of the political battle for Reform.
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