An Elegant Madness: High Society in Regency England Paperback - 2000
by Murray, Venetia
- Used
- Acceptable
- Paperback
Rakes and dandies, duchesses and courtesans, pugilists and patrons whirl through this dazzling and definitive history of Great Britain's most decadent era. of rare contemporary cartoons, prints, and caricatures.
Description
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Details
- Title An Elegant Madness: High Society in Regency England
- Author Murray, Venetia
- Binding Paperback
- Edition Third Printing
- Condition Used - Acceptable
- Pages 352
- Volumes 1
- Language ENG
- Publisher Penguin, NY
- Date 2000
- Features Bibliography, Index, Table of Contents
- Bookseller's Inventory # G0140282963I5N00
- ISBN 9780140282962 / 0140282963
- Weight 0.57 lbs (0.26 kg)
- Dimensions 7.77 x 5.05 x 0.64 in (19.74 x 12.83 x 1.63 cm)
- Ages 18 to UP years
- Grade levels 13 - UP
-
Themes
- Chronological Period: 19th Century
- Cultural Region: British
- Library of Congress Catalog Number 98031589
- Dewey Decimal Code 306.094
Summary
The Regency period was one of the most turbulent ages in British history, one that spanned the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars, that witnessed unprecedented industrial progress, artistic accomplishment, and violent social unrest and--paradoxically--the most sparkling social scene English high society has ever enjoyed. Under the influence of the obese, loose-moraled Prince of Wales (to whom Jane Austen dedicated Emma), the Regency was the apex of British decadence, an era of lavish parties and relentless bed-hopping that set a standard for elegance and vulgarity. With wit and lively style, Venetia Murray chronicles the scandals, courtships, and daily life of these aristocrats, and evokes the tempestuous times of the early industrial and French revolutions. Sumptuously illustrated with rare contemporary cartoons, prints, diaries, and caricatures, An Elegant Madness is a book readers of social history and historical romance alike will devour.
From the publisher
First line
The years of the Regency have come to be synonymous with an elegance and style which are unique in the history of English culture: but they tend to be seen through a romantic haze.
From the rear cover
THE REGENCY was one of the most romantic and turbulent ages in British history. Spanning the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars, it was an era that witnessed unprecedented industrial progress, artistic accomplishment, violent social unrest, and -- paradoxically -- the most sparkling social scene English high society has ever enjoyed. Under the influence of the excessively fat, loose-moraled Prince of Wales (to whom Jane Austen dedicated Emma), the Regency became the very apex of British decadence. It was a time of lavish parties, ferocious gossip, relentless bed-hopping, and notorious gambling that set a standard for elegance and vulgarity. Venetia Murray uses original material from the archives at Windsor including dozens of contemporary accounts, diaries, letters, memoirs, and menus, as well as rare cartoons and prints, to evoke the period in vivid, delicious detail. At the same time she provides a subtle, smart analysis of the political and economic undercurrents of the social whirl. With many frothy pleasures and unexpected bite, An Elegant Madness is a book that readers will want to devour.
