Review

Johnson (emer., University of Rochester) wrote this generous biography - a veritable progress of a rake's rake - with enthusiasm and engaged fascination with Rochester (1647-1680)...Johnson's forte, in addition to the extensiveness of his information, is his strong narrative sweep: this is an exciting biography. Highly Recommended. --CHOICE Within the last five years there have been two other new biographies of the poet and courtier, both oriented towards a more general reader than is implied here. However, any reader would be advised to choose Johnson's as the most authoritative account to date. . . . An additional strength of this biography is the way in which it uncovers so much more than an individual life. Interwoven with Rochester's fortunes are those of King and country, court and parliament and a huge array of other personalities. --ENGLISH: THE JOURNAL OF THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION A life of Rochester could not be better done. It is a biography not only for the scholar, replete with footnotes, references and bibliography, but also for the reader, being written in an easy style with learning lightly worn... A fine biography unlikely to be bettered in the foreseeable future. --THE PRESS (New Zealand)

From the Author

If you loved Johnny Depp in the deliciously dark film, The Libertine, you'll want to pick up a copy of this book to read the writings for yourself.