Book Description

In this one act, one actor, play, "Disraeli" tells his life story - 1804-1881. He commences with a brief background, about the Jews in England and his grandfather's arrival in the mid-18th Century. The latter's good fortune enabled his father to pursue a literary career. Benjamin was therefore born into a wealthy and cultured home.The play covers his unfortunate experiences at various schools, which culminated in his being largely self-taught. A brief and not relished life, as a solicitor's clerk started and finished his interest in the Law. He then embarked on the life of a "Young Gentleman" involving "The Grand Tour". On his return home he made his name as a "Dandy" and a novelist. He tells of his virtual gate-crashing of London Society, before attempting to launch a career in politics. After initial rebuffs as an individual candidate, he eventually gained electoral success by joining the Tory Party.With the aid of a financially beneficial, but not loveless, marriage, he began his rise to fame. As a leading figure in Conservative ranks, he tells of his condemnation of Peel's betrayal over the "Corn Laws", and his formation of a "Young England" splinter group.From becoming Chancellor of the Exchequer in Lord Derby's government, he finally "Climbs to the top pf the greasy pole", becoming Prime Minister, for the first time, in 1868.The second half of the play deals with his notable relations with Queen Victoria and also his great adversarial battles, in and out of Parliament, with Mr Gladstone, the leader of the Liberal Party. He then talks of the domestic, foreign and imperial affairs of his second and most significant government 1874-1880. A sad, but not humourless ending, deals with his last years as Leader of the Opposition, and his last year.The style is largely anecdotal, informative and entertaining.