'The wonderful story of one of the worst monarchs in European history, told with enormous wit and scholarship by a supremely talented historian. If you have the slightest interest in Germans, Poles, porcelain, jewels, the Enlightenment, military disasters or the pleasures of fox-tossing, then this is the book for you' - Dominic Sandbrook From the acclaimed author of The Pursuit of Glory and Frederick the Great, a riotous biography of the charismatic ruler of 18th-century Poland and Saxony - and his catastrophic reign. Augustus is one of the great what-ifs of the 18th century. He could have turned the accident of ruling two major realms into the basis for a powerful European state – a bulwark against the Russians and a block on Prussian expansion. Alas, there was no opportunity Augustus did not waste and no decision he did not get wrong. By the time of his death Poland was fatally damaged and would subsequently disappear as an independent state until the 20th century. Tim Blanning’s wonderfully entertaining and original new book is a study in failed statecraft, showing how a ruler can shape history as much by incompetence as brilliance. Augustus’s posthumous sobriquet ‘The Strong’ referred not to any political accomplishment, but to his legendary physical strength and sexual athleticism. Yet he was also one of the great creative artists of the age, combining driving energy, exquisite taste and apparently boundless resources to master-mind the creation of peerless Dresden, the baroque jewel of jewels. Augustus the Strong brilliantly evokes this time of opulence and excess, decadence and folly.

The conventional portrayal of George Augustus Selwyn, the first Anglican bishop of New Zealand, focuses upon his significance as a missionary bishop who pioneered synodical government in New Zealand and acted as a mediator between settlers and Maori. George Augustus Selwyn (1809-1878) focuses on Selwyn’s theological formation, which places him in the context of the world of traditional high churchmanship, rather than the Oxford Movement narrowly conceived. It argues that his distinctiveness lay in the way in which he was able to transplant his vision of Anglicanism to the colonial context. Making use of Selwyn’s personal correspondence and papers, as well as his unpublished sermons, the book analyses his theological formation, his missionary policy, his role within the formation of the colonial episcopate, his attitude to conciliar authority and his impact upon the diocesan revival in England. The study places Selwyn alongside other likeminded high churchmen who shaped the framework for the transformation of Anglicanism from State Church to worldwide communion in the nineteenth century.

This is the first reset edition of Henderson's The Life of William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland (1766). Henderson wrote two open letters to Samuel Johnson, criticizing his account of Scotland and the Scottish character as well as taking a side-swipe at Smollet. These too are included together with a new introduction to Henderson and his works.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1869.

William Edward Hartpole Lecky's 'History of European Morals From Augustus to Charlemagne' is a monumental two-volume work that delves into the evolution of moral philosophy and ethical thought in Europe from the time of Roman Emperor Augustus to the era of Charlemagne. Lecky meticulously examines the shifting moral landscape, highlighting the impact of Christianity, pagan beliefs, and political ideologies on moral values during this pivotal period in European history. Written in a scholarly and engaging style, Lecky's work offers valuable insights into the complexities of moral development in early Europe, making it a must-read for students of philosophy and history alike. Drawing on a wide range of primary sources, Lecky presents a comprehensive analysis that sheds light on the cultural, religious, and social factors that influenced moral decision-making in the ancient and medieval world. As one of the leading intellectual historians of his time, Lecky's expertise and meticulous research shine through in this seminal work, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the ethical foundations of Western civilization. For readers interested in the intersection of philosophy, religion, and politics, Lecky's 'History of European Morals' serves as an indispensable resource that offers a thought-provoking exploration of the moral complexities that shaped European society from antiquity to the Middle Ages.

'Masterly' - Robert Harris, author of Imperium 'Essential reading for anyone interested in Ancient Rome' Independent ***** Caesar Augustus schemed and fought his way to absolute power. He became Rome's first emperor and ruled for forty-four years before dying peacefully in his bed. The system he created would endure for centuries. Yet, despite his exceptional success, he is a difficult man to pin down, and far less well-known than his great-uncle, Julius Caesar. His story is not always edifying: he murdered his opponents, exiled his daughter when she failed to conform and freely made and broke alliances as he climbed ever higher. However, the peace and stability he fostered were real, and under his rule the empire prospered. Adrian Goldsworthy examines the ancient sources to understand the man and his times.