The Last King Of Poland: One of the most important, romantic and dynamic figures of European history

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A superb study of one of the most important, romantic and dynamic figures of European history. 'A fine book ... the web of political intrigue unfolds like an appetising detective novel' Scotsman The last king of Poland owed his throne largely to his youthful romance with the future Catherine the Great of Russia. But Stanislaw Augustus was nobody's pawn. He was an ambitious, highly intelligent and complex character, a dashing figure in the finest eighteenth-century tradition. A great believer in art and education, he spent fortunes on cultural projects, and finding that he was blocked politically by Catherine, he put his energies into a programme of social and artistic regeneration. He transformed the mood of his country and brought it to a new phase of reform and independence. Poland's neighbours, however, viewed this beacon of liberty in their midst with alarm, and as they invaded and partitioned it, Stanislaw saw the destruction of his life's work, and ultimately was forced to abdicate, a broken man, deceived and disillusioned.

Adam Zamoyski was born in New York of Polish parents but has lived most of his life in England. He was educated at Downside and Queen's College, Oxford. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, of the Royal Society of Arts, and of the Royal Society of Literature and has written numerous highly acclaimed historical works.

Intelligent, impressively researched, beautifully written - INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY A tragic tale beautifully told. Zamoyski's prose does not dazzle, nothing is strained, it is cool and pellucid. He is a great writer and his biography is very readable and instructive - FINANCIAL TIMES His wonderfully fresh and vigorous style carries even the ignorant reader easily through a historical tangle which in most other authors would remain indigestible and wearisome - SPECTATOR This is a book that anyone charged with responsibility, or who cares about power and its use, would do well to read - THE EUROPEAN This sparkling study is both a fascinating biography and a pertinent reminder of the past instability of Eastern Europe - THE TIMES This is an exhilarating, flawlessly disciplined performance. A biography of the unfortunate Stanislaw Poniatowski, written with tremendous brio and full of shrewd sidelights on the tyrannical imperatives of international politics then and now - OBSERVER