Denis Judd Books

An acclaimed biography of one of Britain's most popular writers -- .

First published in 1968, Balfour and the British Empire displayed Denis Judd's acute perception both of Britain's imperial history and Arthur Balfour's puzzling personality.Balfour's political career spanned the years from 1874 to 1929, during which time he saw Britain's acquisition of a new colonial empire, the disastrous Boer War, the beginning of India's progress towards independence, and the emergence of the Dominions as equal partners in the British Commonwealth. Towards many imperial problems Balfour showed a far-sightedness and a discernment which enabled him to encourage essential reform and also to point out paths of broader imperial development.'An arresting, controversial study.' Sunday Telegraph'A well-documented and readable book.' Rab Butler, Spectator'An excellent study of British Imperial ideas; [Judd's] book is firmly based on an astute handling of material and a sensible and dispassionate presentation of it.' Times Literary Supplement

George VI was the man not born to be king. He nonetheless rescued the British monarchy in the aftermath of the abdication crisis and cemented its prestige with his well-judged performance during World War II and the Blitz. In this acclaimed biography, Denis Judd tells the story of Prince Bertie's transformation into King George VI including his struggle with a crippling shyness and sense of inadequacy, exacerbated by the stammer which was the focus of the Oscar-winning film The King's Speech. His marriage to the self-assured and supportive Elizabeth Bowes-Lyons and his unexpected accession to the throne in 1936 changed the direction of the young prince's life for good. Once on the throne, it was he who bore the weighty responsibility for restoring the nation's confidence in their monarchy following his elder brother's abdication, and for maintaining morale during the darkest days of World War II, when, together with Winston Churchill, his dignified presence functioned as a beacon of reassurance to civilians and military alike. Denis Judd provides a fascinating, if sometimes controversial, reassessment of the man who, quite unexpectedly, came to occupy an extraordinary position in a time of unprecedented change.

Alison Uttley's diaries reveal a deeply personal side of the beloved children's author, showcasing her life in Berkshire, her struggles after her husband's suicide, and her close bond with her son. Professor Denis Judd explores her interactions with notable figures, including her neighbor Enid Blyton, and her complex relationships with illustrators. Through her reflections on daily life and the changing seasons, Uttley's enchanting prose mirrors the themes found in her children's stories, offering a poignant glimpse into her world beyond the page.

Telling the story of the remarkable British impact upon India, this book examines what the Raj really meant for the British and their Indian subjects. Among the questions explored are whether the British were intent on development or exploitation, whether they were the civilizing force they claimed, and what their greatest legacies were.

The Boer War of 1899-1902 was an epic of heroism and bungling, cunning and barbarism with an extraordinary cast of characters - including Churchill, Rhodes, Conan Doyle, Smuts, Kipling, Gandhi, Kruger and Kitchener. This book provides a complete history of the Boer War - from the first signs of unrest to the eventual peace.

"The story of Empire is central to Britain's national mythology and sense of its place in the world, and essential to an understanding of its changing role as we approach the end of the millennium. Denis Judd's fine, magisterial history does full justice to a complex and epic theme."--Jacket.

The narrative follows Rufus Isaacs, the first commoner to achieve the rank of marquess since the Duke of Wellington. Hailing from a vibrant Jewish family, he left school at 14 but became a distinguished QC and later entered the House of Commons as a Liberal in 1904. The book chronicles his remarkable journey from humble beginnings to significant political and social stature.

British Prime Minister Lord Palmerston has enjoyed a rakish reputation as a womanizer, a careless aristocrat and the apostle of big-stick diplomacy. His lengthy life linked the American Revolution and the Assasination of Lincoln, the French Revolution and the birth of the future of King George V, the age of Pitt with the days of Gladstone and Disraeli. His political career brought him three times to the Foreign Office and twice to the Premiership. He set out as a dutiful Conservative, became the darling of Radicals trhoughout Europe, and ended his career as ''Old Pam'', the personification of British courage and lion-heartedness. But there was more Palmerston than bluster and patriotism, as Judd clearly shows in this sympathetic, but critical, biography.

George V stood for order and tradition in an age of tumultuous change. Grandson of Queen Victoria, he was pragmatic and forthright but also a man of sensibility. This study shows how the King's strong sense of duty, married with warm humanity, won the affection of his people at home and overseas. Denis Judd is also author of The Crimean War, The House of Windsor and Prince Philip.