Byron: A Life in Ten Letters

"This is the best short introduction to Byron available. Stauffer steers us through a tumultuous life with poise and expert authority. The letters provide vivid snapshots of Byron at key moments across three decades and the biography that emerges is deeply absorbing"--

Introduction; 1. A Spice of Every Thing: To Elizabeth Pigot, 26 October 1807, Trinity College, Cambridge; 2. The Air of Greece: To Henry Drury, 3 May 1810, Salsette Frigate in the Dardanelles off Abydos, Turkey; 3. Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to Know: To Lady Melbourne, 8 October 1813, Aston Hall, Rotherham, Yorkshire; 4. Fare Thee Well: To Lady Byron, 8 February 1816, 13 Piccadilly Terrace, London; 5. Haunted Summer: To Augusta Leigh, 8 September 1816, Villa Diodati, Cologny, near Geneva; 6. The Greenest Isle of My Imagination: To John Murray, 1 August 1819, Ravenna / Venice; 7. Strictest Adultery: To Countess Teresa Guiccioli, 7 December 1819, Venice; 8. A Funeral Pile: To Thomas Moore, 27 August 1822, Pisa; 9. To Join the Greeks: To John Cam Hobhouse, 7 April 1823, Casa Saluzzo, Albaro, near Genoa; 10. Pilgrim of Eternity: To John Murray, 25 February 1824, Messolonghi; After Byron.