A Man of Contradictions - A Life of A. L. Rowse

He proclaimed himself a genius and raged against the slightest criticism from fellow scholars; he was a Marxist who despised the ''Idiot People''; he could be generous and affectionate yet hurled insults at his friends; he inveighed against Puritanism but was himself in many ways a Puritan: A. L. Rowse was a man of many contradictions.

In this clear-sighted and absorbing biography, Richard Ollard examines the many sides of Rowse''s Protean personality to reveal a man who, whatever he was responding to - public affairs, the arts, natural beauty or events in his personal life - did so with tremendous energy and passion.

''An urbane study of the celebrated historian.'' Antonia Fraser, Daily Mail

''Strikes a perfect balance between the Jekyll Rowse and the Hyde Rowse.'' Bevis Hillier, Spectator

''Excellent.'' Katherine Duncan-Jones, TLS