Historical Characters: Mackintosh, Talleyrand, Canning, Cobbett, Peel

"Historical Characters: Mackintosh, Talleyrand, Canning, Cobbett, Peel" by Sir Henry Lytton Bulwer is a series of character studies of important people from history, focusing mostly on the time after the French Revolution in 1789. The book looks at how these people’s lives and characters connect with the big historical events happening around them. The author begins by examining the life of Charles Maurice de Talleyrand, an important diplomat. The book not only looks at Talleyrand's history but also examines his smart thinking, and ability to change with the times during the French Revolution; in addition, Bulwer covers Talleyrand's rise and background in the church. The early part of the book goes deeply into Talleyrand's sharp mind, social intelligence, and complicated personality as he deals with the changing political world. It shows how Talleyrand’s personal strengths and weaknesses helped shape his place in history, and is a fascinating opening to more detailed looks at other historical figures.