RARE copy of King George V Antiquarian Hardback History Biography Book Signed by Author.

This book is inscribed with an address to the Prime Minister of the time (Margaret Thatcher) and is signed by the author Kenneth Rose.

The inscription reads: 'The Prime Minister, with the author's warmest regard and admiration, Kenneth Rose. 1988.'

There is minor damage to page edges and dust jacket (pictured)

It is a third impression (revised), with the first originally published in 1983. It was a gift bought at an antiquarian book fair years ago. Perfect for a history buff, antique collector or anyone with an interest in the monarchy/Royal family.

Description on front:

'King George V spanned the centuries. At his christening in 1865, the Minister in attendance on his grandmother, Queen Victoria, was Lord Palmerston. A few weeks before his death in 1936, he handed the seals of office to a new Foreign Secretary, Anthony Eden.

'Born out of direct line of succession to the throne and receiving only the limited education of a nineteenth-century naval

officer, he brought an inspired common seme to his reign of twenty-five years. The monarchy survived not only the tremors of the First World War but also the abdication of his eldest son, Edward VIII, which so swiftly followed his own death. Above all, the gruff old King with his salty humour and quarterdeck manner reached into the hearts of his subjects.

'This important but lively new biography is based on a wealth of new material, including unpublished extracts from the King's diaries and other documents in the Royal Archives: the personal papers of each of his five Prime Ministers; the confidences of courtiers; and memorable recollections of

the King given to the author by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and other members of the Royal Family.'

Continued on back:

'This book is rich in political drama. It throws new light on the King's denial of wartime asylum to his cousin, the Tsar Nicholas II; his quarrels with Lloyd George over the sale of honours; his browbeating with Ramsay McDonald into forming the National Government of 1931. But it embraces too the idyllic married life and leisure hours of the man who, much to his surprise, found himself  acclaimed the most popular of British sovereigns.'

Generally very good condition. The cover of the hardback itself is undamaged , and has a dust jacket that has signs of wear on the edges. There is some residue of what I assume was once a sticker on the front of the jacket that isn't very noticeable. The bottom corner has a slight mark which is pictured. Pages are unblemished.

The dimensions measure approximately:

Length: 24.2cm

Width: 16.5cm

Depth: 4.5cm

ISBN: 0 297 78254 2