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Viscount Norwich Duff Cooper
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Talleyrand Paperback – March 30, 2001

by Duff Cooper (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 306 ratings
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Unique in his own age and a phenomenon in any, Charles-Maurice, Prince de Talleyrand, was a statesman of outstanding ability and extraordinary contradictions. He was a world-class rogue who held high office in five successive regimes. A well-known opportunist and a notorious bribe taker, Talleyrand's gifts to France arguably outvalued the vast personal fortune he amassed in her service. Once a supporter of the Revolution, after the fall of the monarchy, he fled to England and then to the United States. Talleyrand returned to France two years later and served under Napoleon, and represented France at the Congress of Vienna. Duff Cooper's classic biography contains all the vigor, elegance, and intellect of its remarkable subject.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    288 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Grove Press
  4. Publication date
    March 30, 2001
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 1.25 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0802137679
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0802137678
  8. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Grove Press; 1st Grove Press edition (March 30, 2001)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0802137679
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0802137678
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.19 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.25 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 306 ratings

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Viscount Norwich Duff Cooper

Viscount Norwich Duff Cooper

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
306 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

David L. Goodrich
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent biography of Talleyrand
Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2021
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Although much more is heard about Napoleon, this biography of a member of his cabinet , Talleyrand, tells the story of the power behind Napoleon. Talleyrand worked behind the scenes to circumvent Napoleon's plans to conquest and rule more of Europe. His methods reminded me of the character of the Scarlet Pimpernel ( a fictional character) who appeared to be lazy and self-indulgent but was actually the leader of a group of men saving French people from certain death during the French revolution. It appears Talleyrand may have also had a hand in that to a smaller degree. Both men are described as being witty and cunning. Both are also wealthy and well-connected. They work tirelessly behind the scenes to manage the outcome they desire. Talleyrand wanted France to be peaceful and have positive relations with her neighbors which was diametrically opposed to what Napoleon wanted. Ultimately, Talleyrand was instrumental in thwarting Napoleon's ambitions.
4 people found this helpful
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Michael Merriam
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for fans of diplomacy or the Napoleonic Era.
Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2021
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This book, despite being written in by an author Post World War-I, is still an insightful and modern take on the famous Napoleonic era diplomat. As a man who lived at various times in the young United States; Great Britain; and in France under the rule of seven different French regimes, Talleyrand lived an amazing life. This author takes you on a journey through each of the regimes that Talleyrand lived under while also explaining his many diplomatic achievements.
2 people found this helpful
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H. F. Gibbard
4.0 out of 5 stars A classic
Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2011
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This lively and opinionated biography of French statesman Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord, who lived from 1754 to 1838 and was known simply as "Talleyrand", is a true classic. Duff Cooper's prose is delightful, his insights are sharp, and his witty style is well-suited to describe the life of the very clever diplomat who is his subject.

Like Talleyrand's contemporaries, biographers seem to be of two minds about him. On the one hand, he is described as a very wicked fellow, selfish, venal, untrustworthy, and utterly lacking in principle. On the other, he is seen as a patriot and uber-statesman who managed to steer a long and winding course through a flood of tyrants and murderers by being flexible when necessary and unflinching when appropriate. Cooper's biography avoids either extreme; he acknowledges Talleyrand's great talents and patriotism while never shying away from his faults.

This is an excellent introduction to Talleyrand, which is still worth reading though first published in 1932. Cooper covers Talleyrand's life succinctly but thoroughly, from his childhood, his early work for the church, his exile in America during the Revolution, his diplomatic work for and against Napoleon, his diplomacy during the Restoration, the Congress of Vienna, and the Second Restoration to his retirement and the hour of his death. Cooper brings a special focus to Talleyrand's Anglophilia and his troubled reconciliation late in life with the Catholic Church. This biography is a very pleasant and informative read.
8 people found this helpful
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VA 6
5.0 out of 5 stars A magnificent book about an even more magnificent individual!
Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2016
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A magnificent book about an even more magnificent individual! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, every single page. Don't let the age of the writing dissuade you. As a fan of European history, I kept coming across Talleyrand's name in books covering the late 1700s and early 1800s. I decided it was time to learn about the man himself and am so pleased I found this book thanks to Amazon. He was arguably the most dominant individual in France during this time and certainly was able to succeed for a much longer period than anyone else. Now I just need to find an equally well-written book about Metternich ... if it exists. As for Talleyrand, do yourself a favor and read this book!
26 people found this helpful
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Clive R. Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent bio stands the test of time
Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2009
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Duff Cooper's bio of Talleyrand was first published in 1932. plenty of water has passed over the dams of political analysis, the interpretation of history and the writing of biography since then, but Duff Cooper's writing and analysis are as fresh and resonant now as they were 75 years ago. Talleyrand had his charm, as everyone agrees, but also had his devious, scheming, self-interested side as contmporaries such as de Stael, Burney, Balzac and Chateaubriand agree. Cooper, no political slouch himself, lays the whole man out for the reader in good vigorous prose. As a result this is a splendid read for anyone interested in the period.
2 people found this helpful
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George J
5.0 out of 5 stars One of a kind very readable biography
Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2018
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Talleyrand was an extraodinary man—charming and smart and impossible. Duff Cooper writes beautifully and I came away from this biography in awe of the subject and very appreciative of the author. It is so much better than many of today’s biographies which often want to be definitive and think that the way to do that is to be exhaustive. This book gives you a sense of Talleyrand’s genius and complexity. An excellent read.
10 people found this helpful
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John Conforti
4.0 out of 5 stars TALLEYRAND, PATRIOT
Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2017
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The conventional portrait of Talleyrand is one of a corrupt, amoral political turncoat who successfully negotiated every change in French government from Louis XVI to Louis Philippe. He may have been self-absorbed and he did enrich himself at every turn but Duff Cooper maintains that he was a man of principle whose political gymnastics were always motivated by what was in the best interest of the French nation. Agree with him or not, Cooper makes a compelling case and he writes beautifully.
15 people found this helpful
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Jon W. Schonblom
5.0 out of 5 stars Important facet of early French history in the late 18th and early 19th century.
Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2020
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The fascinating thing about Talleyrand is his survival as a politician through some of France's most turbulent times. He was a competent minister with an innate pragmatism. A good insight into the man and his times.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Jamila Mahmud
5.0 out of 5 stars Great write
Reviewed in Canada on July 24, 2019
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I am still reading
Very well written and historically correct
I am pleased with the book and will recommend it highly
2 people found this helpful
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Trisha
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent work and nice copy
Reviewed in India on October 7, 2018
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Excellent book
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Max Markham
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Biography of a Complex Statesman
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 12, 2017
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This biography of Talleyrand, by a former British Ambassador at Paris, who was bilingual in French and English and who used his ample time in retirement for historical research, is widely acknowledged to be brilliant, accurate and readable. Talleyrand was probably the most consummate diplomat who ever lived, and a born political survivor. Insofar as it is possible to get inside his mind, Duff Cooper does. My only reservation is that more material has become available since the book was written, of which (obviously) Duff Cooper makes no mention. Perhaps his son, John Julius Norwich, might consider producing a new, edited version.
3 people found this helpful
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alex
5.0 out of 5 stars Classique
Reviewed in France on December 30, 2013
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Cette ouvrage était l'un des préféré sinon le préféré de John Kennedy et à raison. A compléter avec d'autres ouvrages sur la période notamment les mémoires complètes de Talleyrand. A lire.
One person found this helpful
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Book fiend
4.0 out of 5 stars Quite a French history lesson!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 13, 2014
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If you don't know a lot about the period of French history between the 1780s and the 1850s, this is your book. An exquisitely crafted piece of writing by Duff Cooper charts the progress of Talleyrand, an extraordinary politician who held ministerial posts in the French Governments of all political hues from pre-Revolution times through Napoleon Bonaparte's 'reign' and beyond, advising Kings, Queens, politicians, revolutionaries and foreign governments, always with the utmost discretion, forbearance and astonishing cunning. To read his biography is to understand an enormous chunk of French history at a critical period and in turbulent times. Talleyrand was the most supreme diplomatist, an extraordinary wit of great charm but capable of extreme deviousness. It is a book that requires some concentration and you won't be able to remember all the dramatis personae who float in and out of the story, but is fascinating and holds the attention, not least because it is most beautifully written.
6 people found this helpful
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