Lloyd George: The People's Champion, 1902-1911

Lloyd George #2

by John Grigg

John Grigg's four volume life of "Lloyd George" is one of the great political biographies. Volume 2, "The People's Champion 1902-1911", in the author's own words 'carries the story on to the zenith of his whole career before the Great War. By the end of 1911 he had already achieved far more than be claimed for most politicians in a lifetime...The period covered here is one of intense controversy and acrimony, in which Lloyd George's speeches attacking the Conservative Party and its lordly backers are among the finest examples of polemical oratory in the English language.' The central drama is the constitutional conflict surrounding Lloyd George's 1909 Budget, the People's Budget, which was such a powerful tool of social reform. There is much more besides, not least vivid portrayals of his relations with Asquith and Winston Churchill. The latter, again in John Grigg's own words 'was Lloyd George's closest colleague in two ways: they worked together on major reforming projects, and both were men of genius...They also enjoyed each other's company and had a strong affinity of temperament.' This volume won the Whitbread Prize. It is a tragedy John Grigg didn't live to complete his magnum opus but what exists is a masterpiece.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Politics

393 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[Oonagh · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has not aged well and I’m always disappointed when a biographer tries so hard to defend their subject - it leaves me feeling unsure of whether there is bias in the writing. If I want bias I will read the autobiography.