Talleyrand

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

The author bloviates quite a bit and the writing style is a tad dated but overall its good enough until a better biography on Tally is found.

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.

Despite volume upon volume of Napoleonic books that I have waded through, I had never read a book on the controversial character of Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord, but instead, had only seen him mentioned in other histories, mainly Napoleonic of course. So often has his name cropped up as something of a diplomatic giant with reference to French foreign policy and the European stage amongst other things, I decided it was high-time I grabbed myself a Talleyrand biography and try to get a better grasp of what this famous name was all about. Talleyrand is a name that seems to inspire different evaluations and reactions from different pens. In this case, it was to be the 1932 biography by Alfred Duff Cooper that I would be looking into. The cover of the book gives an idea, whether rightly or wrongly on how Talleyrand has been depicted through history. A cartoon picture of the man in his many faceted roles, or should that be many faced roles?The biography plots our man from birth to death and so is not solely concerned with the Napoleonic wars. For the first 10% or so of the book it is not immediately apparent whether the author will be looking on favourably or disparagingly on M.de Talleyrand. But slowly we soon come to understand that Mr Cooper although without mercy in condemnation of Talleyrand’s money taking, is more than sympathetic and supportive of Talleyrand’s actions and intentions throughout his career.We find out that Talleyrand was evidently born into an aristocratic family in 1754 and in his early infancy was victim of an accident that left him suffering with a lame leg for the rest of his life. His upbringing, although not frugal by French peasantry standards of the time, was apparently not exactly lavish either given his family’s aristocratic status. At a young age his parents had decided he would be guided into a life of religion and climb the greasy pole of promotion with a view to attaining high status within the church. This was not Talleyrand’s wish or dreams at all. Nonetheless he did enter the trade of the cloth and became known as L’Abbe de Perigord. But it was soon apparent that he had too much of a liking for pleasures of the flesh, wine, gambling and general licentious behaviour. Unsurprisingly that career eventually came to an end by mutual agreement of all parties!Mr Duff Cooper’s support of Talleyrand’s career comes from a firm belief that although he was able to act as the face of the Church, the Bourbons, the Revolution, the Consulate and the Emperor and post 1815, he was nonetheless always consistent in his policies throughout. That being in essence, that despite working for his various ‘employers’ of variable political hues, he was always acting overall for the good of France. He uses as evidence his belief that Talleyrand always proposed peace and economic co-operation and exchange with England (such as the 1802 Peace of Amiens). Always urged his superiors to be magnanimous in their victories over Prussia & Austria to avoid any eternal simmering of revanche and opposed the treaties of Pressburg (1805) and Tilsit (1807). And always proposed good relations with Russia and was against any ideas of invasion long before 1812. Personally, I thought Duff-Cooper skipped over Talleyrand’s probable knowledge of the assassination of Louis Antoine, Duc d’Enghien. However, having wearied of a Napoleon that would not listen to him, he resigned as Foreign minister in 1807. He was also still able to advise Napoleon against his Spanish Peninsular ideas, but again, this was not heeded. The obvious question would be then, “If nobody listened to his advice, why did he continue working for so long and taking the cash and perks from an employer that was so diametrically opposed to his own visions for France”? Duff Cooper answers this by saying Talleyrand felt strongly that despite these frustrations, it was still better to have somebody of his persuasions near the top of the hierarchy to keep an eye on and be aware of what was actually happening.I found myself questioning some of this logic. Understandable and feasible as it may be. Could such a person of determined passions and views on desired outcomes really continue in office for a regime or regimes that regularly acted exactly the way he didn’t want them to? And also, could it be considered fair that he should not face accusations of personal pocket filling or two-facedness whilst still in the trust of these people that he would inform the Tsar of Russia of the thoughts, plans and outlook of the Napoleonic regime? I don’t know. It would have to simply come down to whether one was a Bonapartist or anti. It’s similar to the old ‘Freedom fighter or terrorist’ type of debate. One thing I’m sure of is that Talleyrand did a magnificent job on the 1814 collapse of France and his part in placing France not as the ‘conquered nation’ in the Vienna Congress but instead as an equal player in the debates.The book winds down with Talleyrand’s service to the re-instated Bourbon’s and then governments post ‘The 100 Days’. We are then taken through his years of retirement and eventual passing. It’s quite a short book given the subject, but very digestible to those wanting an opening read on the man. As well as Tallyrand, the whole gamut of 1800’s stars and VIP’s make their entrance. From kings, kaisers and tsars. Marshals, generals, diplomats. Lovers and a who’s who of who was affairing with whom! It’s an old book (1932) but worth a read.

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.

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.

Well written and a very good read.

Great prose. Fascinating reading about an extraordinary statesman who retained power from the ancien regime through the different phases of the Revolution, Napoleon and the Restoration. A personal life rife with moral and financial corruption. A great read!