George III

More about the book

The last king of America, George III, has often been portrayed as a disastrous monarch who lost the colonies and succumbed to madness. However, this view is overly simplistic and fails to capture the complexities of his reign and legacy. Many Americans see him as a heartless ruler, largely shaped by the negative portrayals of revolutionary figures like Thomas Paine and Thomas Jefferson, who depicted him as evil to further their political goals. Award-winning historian Andrew Roberts has sifted through extensive unpublished correspondence to reveal a more nuanced truth: George III was a wise and humane monarch, plagued by skilled adversaries, mental health challenges, ineffective ministers, and sheer bad luck. In this exploration, Roberts presents a balanced portrait of the often-maligned king, highlighting his overlooked achievements. As we reflect on George III's reign, it is essential to reassess our understanding of him and recognize the complexities of the last time America was under monarchical rule. This reevaluation invites a deeper appreciation of a figure who has been unjustly caricatured throughout history.