The Duchess (Text Only)

Originally published as Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. Sex, intrigue and adultery in the world of high politics and huge wealth in late eighteenth-century England. Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, was one of the most flamboyant and influential women of the eighteenth century. The great-great-great-great aunt of Diana, Princess of Wales, she was variously a compulsive gambler, a political savant and operator of the highest order, a drug addict, an adulteress and the darling of the common people. This authoritative, utterly absorbing book presents a mesmerizing picture of a fascinating world of political and sexual intrigues, grand houses, huge parties, glamour and great wealth - always on the edge of being squandered by the excesses and scandals of individuals. Georgiana's extraordinary life has now been made into a major film - starring Keira Knightley and Ralph Fiennes - which is due for release in summer 2008. • 'Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire' has sold over 300,000 copies since publication. • 'The Duchess' will be a major release and will undoubtedly renew interest in Foreman's biography. It is directed by Saul Dibb (who directed the TV adaptation of 'Line of Beauty') and stars Keira Knightley as Georgiana and Ralph Fiennes as the Duke of Devonshire.