"The Last King of America" by Andrew Roberts

A noted British historian whose previous books includes volumes on Churchill and Napoleon now turns to the "The Last King of America," his book, published in 2021, about George III.Often dismissed as a buffoon--a heartless and terrible monarch with few, if any, redeeming qualities--George deserves better, notes Roberts. The best-known modern interpretation of him is Jonathan Groff's preening, spitting, and pompous take in "Hamilton," Lin-Manuel Miranda's Broadway hit. But this deeply unflattering characterization is rooted in the prejudiced and brilliantly persuasive opinions of eighteenth-century revolutionaries like Thomas Paine and Thomas Jefferson, says Roberts.The rebels needed to make the king appear evil to achieve their own political aims, Roberts told Steve Tarter. George III was in fact a wise, humane, and even enlightened monarch who was beset by talented enemies, debilitating mental illness, incompetent ministers, and disastrous luck, stated the historian.read more