Art, Truth, and High Politics: A Bibliographic Study of the Official Lives of Queen Victoria's Ministers in Cabinet, 1843-1969 (Magill Bibliographies) - Hardcover

Powell's work is an impressive accomplishment. With great thoroughness, he demystifies the role of the Official Lives as a significant source of information about Victorian politics and society. * American Reference Books Annual * ...provides a fascinating insight into biography as literary form and historical record...a welcome tool for serious researchers. * CHOICE * ...a fascinating compilation which portrays a light touch and a deep empathy its chosen genre and period. Libraries supporting courses on British nineteenth-century political history are advised to add it to their collections. * s *

Art, Truth, and High Politics is an important source for scholars of Victorian culture as it highlights a significant class of documents, the Official Lives of British Cabinet members during the reign of Queen Victoria. Although often dismissed by scholars, these biographies form the backbone of most political studies of the period. They are often a treasure chest of documents, illustrations, maps, family pedigrees, and other information essential to an understanding of the minister and the period in which he lived. Entries for the seventy biographies are arranged alphabetically by the minister's surname; the entries contain extensive bibliographical information, biographical information on both the subject and biographer, and the types of materials incorporated into the biography including archival and primary sources, published sources, illustrations, and cartoons. With illustrations.