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  • Published: 15 April 2015
  • ISBN: 9780099574323
  • Imprint: Arrow
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 400
  • RRP: $22.99
Categories:

Dirty Bertie: An English King Made in France




The entertaining biography of Edward VII and his playboy lifestyle, by Stephen Clarke, author of 1000 Years of Annoying the French and A Year in the Merde.

The entertaining biography of Edward VII and his playboy lifestyle, by Stephen Clarke, author of 1000 Years of Annoying the French and A Year in the Merde.

Despite fierce opposition from his mother, Queen Victoria, Edward VII was always passionately in love with France.

He had affairs with the most famous Parisian actresses, courtesans and can-can dancers. He spoke French more elegantly than English. He was the first ever guest to climb the Eiffel Tower with Gustave Eiffel, in defiance of an official English ban on his visit. He turned his French seduction skills into the diplomatic prowess that sealed the Entente Cordiale.

A quintessentially English king? Pas du tout! Stephen Clarke argues that as 'Dirty Bertie', Edward learned all the essentials in life from the French.

  • Published: 15 April 2015
  • ISBN: 9780099574323
  • Imprint: Arrow
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 400
  • RRP: $22.99
Categories:

About the author

Stephen Clarke

Dr Stephen Clarke is a history graduate of the University of Otago and the University of New South Wales. His long-time interest has been the social and cultural impact of war on New Zealand society with expertise in the observance of Anzac Day. After two years as Historian with the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, Dr Clarke joined the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association in 2001 to work on national projects and later public relations. As Chief Executive he led the strategic transformation and rebrand of the RSA between 2008 and 2013. This was followed by a year at the Royal British Legion in London, where as the first Head of Remembrance he oversaw the start of the First World War Centenary programme. He is an independent historian and founding director of Making History Ltd.

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Praise for Dirty Bertie: An English King Made in France

A wicked and witty biography.

Daily Express

A comic history which manages to combine Clarke’s brand of jaunty, bawdy humour … with being genuinely informative about French history.

Spectator

Fine historical romp.

Daily Mail