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 savante 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.

THE DUCHESS is the story of an extraordinary woman who rose to fame by staying true to her passions in a world of protocol, gossip and social rules – and paid the price. Georgiana's extraordinary life has now been made into a major film – starring Keira Knightley and Ralph Fiennes – which is due for release on Boxing Day 2009.