'This book provides a new assessment of a somewhat enigmatic figure. Travis Crosby cuts through the thicket of views and suggests persuasive explanations of Lloyd George's behaviour. In the process the Lloyd George laid bare is neither an opportunist nor an ideologue; instead, he is shown to be someone who calculated and responded to situations and sought to produce resolutions.' Peter Catterall, Reader in History, University of Westminster 'This is a deeply considered, vivid, lucid and genuinely illuminating book that deals as frankly and comprehensively with Lloyd George's capacity to encounter and foment conflict in his public life as with his tendency to take similar risks in his private affairs.' - Denis Judd, author of Empire: The British Imperial Experience 1765 to the Present