Sarah Bradford s stylish and readable biography traces the flamboyant career of Benjamin Disraeli. She follows Disraeli s progress from Byronic dandy to confidante of Queen Victoria, describing en route how bouts of fierce parliamentary fighting and intrigue alternated with periods of intense creativity which produced Vivian Grey, Coningsby, Sybil and the worlds best- seller Lothair. Using previously unknown letters and papers, she throws new light upon Disraeli s relationships with the women in his life. She also brings to life the parliamentary debates through which Disraeli destroyed Peel as leader of the Conservative Party, split the Conservatives, duelled with Gladstone and achieved power as one of England s greatest prime ministers.