Forget the dry dates and parliamentary procedure you might expect. John Morley's second volume on Gladstone throws you right into the heart of Victorian Britain's biggest crisis: Ireland. This book covers Gladstone's first term as Prime Minister (1868-1874), a period defined by his monumental, and monumentally difficult, mission to bring justice and peace to Ireland.

The Story

This is the story of a mission. Fresh off a huge election win, Gladstone sets out to fix what he calls 'the upas tree' poisoning British politics—the unfair treatment of Ireland. We follow him as he takes on two giant tasks: disestablishing the powerful (and Protestant) Church of Ireland, and passing a Land Act to protect Irish tenant farmers from unfair eviction. Morley shows us the fight from the inside—the exhausting cabinet meetings, the furious debates, the behind-the-scenes deals, and the constant threat of rebellion in Ireland itself. It's a political war on two fronts, against outraged Conservatives and even members of his own party.

Why You Should Read It

What makes this special is Morley's perspective. He wasn't just a historian; he was Gladstone's friend and political ally. He gets the man behind the speeches. We see Gladstone's incredible energy (he read thousands of books for fun!), his deep religious faith that drove his politics, and his moments of doubt and exhaustion. This isn't a statue on a page; it's a living, breathing, often stubborn person trying to do the right thing in a system designed to stop him. The book makes you feel the immense pressure and the personal cost of leadership.

Final Verdict

This is for anyone who loves a great character study set against a backdrop of huge historical change. You don't need to be a British history expert. If you like stories about determined underdogs (even if he was Prime Minister), complex moral problems, or the messy reality of how big changes actually happen, you'll find this fascinating. It's perfect for readers of Ron Chernow or David McCullough who want to explore a similarly giant figure from the other side of the Atlantic. Just be ready for a deep, rewarding, and surprisingly human dive into the past.