The Life and Times of Edward VII

London: George Weidenfeld & Nicolson/ Book Club Associates , 1972. Laminated Jacket. General editor Antonia Fraser. From the popular Weidenfeld/BCA series of biographies of English Kings and Queens. "Symbol of an era in which Britain freed herself from the restraints which had surrounded life under Victoria, Edward VII was renowned as a sportsman, bon viveur, and lover of beautiful women. As Prince of Wales he had been prevented by his mother from taking any active part in the government of the country, so he had thrown himself wholeheartedly into being the leader of a fashionable and idle set whose behaviour scandalised much of contemporary opinion. Twice, the activities of his friends forced the Prince to appear as a witness in court, and when he came to the throne at the age of sixty, there were those who feared that his conduct might not be fitted to his high office. Yet he was to be one of the most popular kings ever to reign, with both his people and his ministers. At home he was to do much to adapt the monarchy to a new and more symbolic role in the Constitution and abroad he was to help lead Great Britain out of splendid, but precarious, isolation into which she had retreated at the end of the nineteenth century." Please email for further details........ NO EXTRA POSTAGE ABOVE OUR STANDARD RATES!. Not Signed or Inscribed. First Edition. Purple Cloth. NEAR FINE (NEAR NEW)/Very Good (AVERAGE). Illus. by 16 Pages of Colour Plates & 100 Illustrations in Black & White . 4to - over 9¾" - 12". HARDBACK.