The Last King of America: The Misunderstood Reign of George III

The Last King of America: The Misunderstood Reign of George III by Andrew Roberts
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Although the book covers the entire reign of George III, it pays particular attention to the American Revolution.

The book has three parts:
1. George's youth, influences, his reign up to the Revolution.
2. The Revolution, described in particular detail.
3. The end of the reign after the Revolution.

The first part feels like a buildup meant to explain George's behaviour during the Revolution. You get introduced to his parents, his education, people who influenced his early upbringing. Much of it in the context of what he did later on in life.

Part 2 occupies the largest part of the book (despite the fact that we are talking only about a sixth of George's total reign). It has the benefit of an approach that is different to what you would learn in school.

Traditional historiography teaches the American Revolution as a heroic effort to escape British tyranny. The book gives it a whole new perspective - but manages to do that without taking the side of George III. Both sides of the conflict emerge as flawed out of this book, and this is something that I appreciate. For someone who sticks to the traditional historical imagery of American heroes depicted by Mel Gibson and the like, though, this may be an unwelcome experience.

Part 3, to me, felt a bit rushed. The last years of George's reign, including the ones where he was still a sane individual and active king, did not seem to be relevant to the author, despite the fact that they are the years of the French Revolution and French Empire - events of real importance in the world and British history.

Overall, good - particularly if you are looking for a new perspective on the American Revolution.

View all my reviews