Book description
Plantaganet Palliser, Prime Minister of England - a man of power and
prestige, with all the breeding and inherited wealth that goes with it -
is appalled at the inexorable rise of Ferdinand Lopez. An exotic
impostor, seemingly from nowhere, Lopez has society at his feet, while
well-connected ladies vie with each other to exert influence on his
behalf - even Palliser's own wife, Lady Glencora. But when the
interloper makes a socially advantageous marriage, Palliser must decide
whether to stand by his wife's support for Lopez in a by-election or
leave him to face exposure as a fortune-hunting adventurer. A novel of
social, sexual and domestic politics, The Prime Minister raises one of
the most enduring questions in government - whether a morally scrupulous
gentleman can make an effective leader.
Anthony Trollope (1815 - 1882) established a successful career in the
Post Office whilst also writing over forty novels, plus short stories.
He enjoyed considerable acclaim during his lifetime. He is best
remembered for the Barsetshire Chronicles.
David Skilton is Professor of English at Cardiff. He has also edited
Thomas Hardy for the Penguin Classics.
