Disraeli V Gladstone

• Insights into Gladstone’s friendship with former courtesans and also gives an account of his reading of pornography and rescuing prostitutes • Explains of Disraeli’s Jewish birth and pronounced features affected his political career • It is said that Gladstone thought that Disraeli was a charlatan and that Disraeli thought that Gladstone was mad; the book tries to see if both were right • Gladstone was Queen Victoria’s least favourite prime minister and Disraeli was her favourite; Disraeli v Gladstone explains why this was the case Benjamin Disraeli joined William Gladstone in the House of Commons in 1837. A few years later, a bitter feud developed between the two men and it lasted until Disraeli’s death in 1881. During this time, Disraeli, for the Conservatives, was Chancellor of the Exchequer three times and Prime Minister twice. Gladstone, for the Liberals, was during his lifetime Chancellor of the Exchequer four times and Prime Minister also four times. This book analyses the causes of the feud and it describes how it developed and the actions of two of the country’s greatest statesmen. Their mutual antipathy was so great that Gladstone made an excuse not to go to his rival’s funeral. In addition, there is a wealth of fascinating information about them. Among other things, this includes an account of Gladstone’s controversial work rescuing prostitutes and his close friendship with former courtesans. It also describes how Disraeli wrote his famous novels, and his disreputable business activities.

This is an account of the bitter feud between two of Britain's greatest Prime Ministers and statesmen--Benjamin Disraeli and William Gladstone. It analyses the causes of the antagonism, how it developed and the actions of the two men. A wealth of fascinating facts and anecdotes are included.

This brilliant account of the dramatic confrontation between the two "mighty opposites" of the Victorian age highlights political giants William Gladstone and Benjamin Disraeli.

Benjamin Disraeli and William Ewart Gladstone are without doubt the two most iconic figures of Victorian politics. Their distinctly different personalities and policies led to 28 years of bitter political rivalry. For the first time, this book provides the full story of their rivalry and its origins, comparing the upbringing, education and personalities of the two leaders, as well as their political careers. Dick Leonard considers the impact of religion on the two men, their contrasting oratorical skills, their attitudes to political and social reform, foreign affairs and imperialism as well as their relations with Queen Victoria. In their private lives he sheds new light on Gladstone's guilt-ridden obsession with 'reforming' prostitutes, and Disraeli's almost completely successful efforts to conceal the existence of two illegitimate children. Providing important new perspectives on the two towering political characters of the Victorian Age, this book will be essential reading for anyone interested in nineteenth century British history and politics.

Published in the year 2004, Disraeli, Gladstone & the Eastern Question is a valuable contribution to the field of History.

This book traces the often sharply differing perspectives historians have formed with regard to the key incidents in the careers of the two foremost politicians of the Victorian age – Gladstone and Disraeli. Following the parallel careers of both men, it focuses upon a series of contentious questions, ranging from why Disraeli opposed Corn Law repeal in 1846 and Gladstone abandoned his High Tory politics for Peelism, to whether Disraeli was ever an Imperialist and why Gladstone took up the cause of Irish Home Rule. By juxtaposing the contrasting interpretations advocated by historians, it brings home to students how history is a continually evolving subject in which every generation poses new questions, or reformulates answers to old ones – encouraging those studying the subject to realise that history is an ongoing dialogue to which they are called upon to contribute.

The volumes in this set, originally published between 1966 and 1983, draw together research by leading academics on William Gladstone and Benjamin Disraeli, and provide a rigorous examination of related key issues. The volumes examine the historical, political and philosophical, whilst also exploring their work with other political figures such as Paul Kruger. This set will be of interest to students of history and politics respectively.