Notes of Conversations With the Duke of Wellington: 1831-1851
About this book
Introduction by Elizabeth Longford Earl Stanhope's historic conversations with the first Duke of Wellington (1769-1852), distinguished soldier and statesman, offer a unique insight into 19th-century history and society. Fifteen years after the Battle of Waterloo, the Duke of Wellington met the young MP, Lord Mahon, later to become the fifth Earl Stanhope. Stanhope was a budding historian and eagerly recorded his conversations with the ``Iron Duke.'' Their talks spanned 20 years and form a fascinating insight into the mind of the great soldier and statesman. Wellington speaks freely about his military campaigns in India, Spain, and Portugal and at Waterloo; about Napoleon and his Marshals; about Metternich and Talleyrand, British politics, and Catholic emancipation; and about French and British royalty. Indeed, there is scarcely an area of 19th-century British history that the Duke does not illuminate with his knowledge, wit, intelligence, and astonishing range of personal reminiscences. Elizabeth Longford, Wellington's celebrated biographer, has written a new introduction for this edition. 320 pp 5 1/2 x 8 1/2