Hadn't read much by or about this author before, but apparently he was a prominent and well known writer in the early through mid twentieth century. I read this because I was intrigued by the nature of the man who was King Edward. I wanted to know more about him and the time he reigned and this book was very helpful with that. This book gave me better insight into the nuances of classes and political parties of the era. It was palatable, almost folksy in places, filled with illustrations of the art and photographs of the times. ( )

A survey book of The last pre-WWI period, my grandparent's world. It reads easily, and is informative about the sociology of the period, and about the major social movements that the War interrupted. A good background book for a North American student of John Galsworthy. ( )

Covering 1901 to 1914 and copiously illustrated, Priestley here looks at social, political and artistic aspects of English life. ( )