Aristocrats: Power, grace and decadence - Paperback

by Lawrence James (Author)

The British aristocracy has long considered itself qualified to rule others, make laws and guide the nation. Aristocrats traces the history of this supremacy.

Aristocrats is a story that spans a thousand years of wars, intrigue, chicanery and extremes of both selflessness and greed. Author Lawrence James shows how the aristocracy's infatuation with classical art has forged our heritage, how its love of sport has shaped our pastimes and values and how its scandals have entertained the public.

Impeccably researched, balanced, and brilliantly told, Aristocrats is an enthralling story of survival, a stunning history of wealth, power, and influence. Readers with an interest in British social history and/or politics are bound to enjoy it.

Praise for Aristocrats:
'Lawrence James is a lively, interesting writer. His book was a wonderful history' - Amazon review

'A thousand years of privilege is not easily maintained ... Lawrence James shows exactly how the process has worked in Britain' - The Times

'An accessible history of the last 900 years through the perspective of the aristocracy ... Well-written ... Admire the range, drive and verve of James's study' - BBC History Magazine

Lawrence James is a British historian and author, whose work includes biographies of TE Lawrence and the Duke of Wellington, and a history of the British middle class.