William Pitt and the Great War

"William Pitt and the Great War" by J. Holland Rose is a historical examination of William Pitt the Younger's leadership during the French Revolution and the wars that followed. The book details Pitt's political strategies as he navigated the complicated politics of late 18th-century Europe. It opens by establishing the political climate leading up to the Great War, detailing Pitt's earlier achievements and attempts to reform British domestic policies. Key events, like Louis XVI's attempted escape and the responses of European powers, are discussed, showing shifting alliances and growing fears of intervention in France. The book sets the stage for understanding Pitt’s struggles to contain the conflict, manage domestic unrest, and maintain governmental stability under external pressure.