Talleyrand, Betrayer and Saviour of France
by Robin Harris
John Murray, HK$165
It is not surprising that Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord (1754-1838) has inspired so many biographies. Dubbed the Prince of Diplomats, he led a life of extremes involving power, money, women and war. Corrupt to the core, he lived through the French Revolution and helped mould Europe, serving under Louis XVI, Napoleon I, Louis XVII and Louis-Philippe. Few were spared his treachery. Robin Harris paints a fascinating portrait of an intellectual who was also a master statesman. This explains the subtitle of his biography: Talleyrand, Betrayer and Saviour of France. By detailing his unprincipled ways, including his double-dealings with Russia's Tsar Alexander I, whom he advised not to forge an alliance with France, Harris portrays a character so two-faced readers will wonder why his bosses didn't cut him down. Several explanations sound reasonable, not least his ability to smarm his way out of sticky situations and his general extravagance: Talleyrand was a profligate host. His most memorable years were spent serving and betraying Napoleon and although Harris says the emperor probably didn't call him 'a shit in silk stockings' it is clear why the description stuck.