
audiobook
In this richly detailed memoir, a contemporary observer pulls back the curtain on the turbulent early years of George II’s reign. The narrative follows the frantic diplomatic dance with France, the abortive peace overtures, and the looming threat of war that soon erupts across the Atlantic and in Europe. Readers hear the clamor of Parliament as ministers jockey for power, and the personal rivalries that shape policy.
Against a backdrop of naval defeats, the loss of Minorca, and heated debates over taxes, militia, and foreign alliances, the book captures the voices of figures like Fox and Pitt as they navigate a fractured ministry. It blends vivid courtroom‑style speeches with the everyday concerns of Irish and Scottish politics, offering a panoramic view of a kingdom on the brink. Listeners will feel the tension of a nation trying to balance ambition with survival.
Language
en
Duration
~9 hours (562K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by MWS, John Campbell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Release date
2018-09-05
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1717–1797
Best known for The Castle of Otranto, he helped launch the Gothic novel and brought a sharp, witty voice to 18th-century English letters. He was also a prolific letter writer whose correspondence offers a vivid window into the culture and politics of his time.
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