'He bore a greater burden, military and political, than any commander before or since,' Richard Holmes. John Churchill may be considered one of England's greatest generals, if not the greatest. As the Duke of Marlborough he led a coalition of powers against the formidable Sun King, Louis XIV, from 1702 to 1712. During a series of famous victories, including Blenheim and Ramillies, he shattered the French domination of Europe and paved the way for the establishment of the British Empire. Yet Churchill was not only a military genius. He was a statesman too. His rise to fame threads its way through the reigns of four monarchs - from Charles II to Queen Anne. His life story is bound in intrigue, rebellion, war and treason. And his marriage to the beautiful and tempestuous Sarah Jennings, who was to become a favoured companion of Queen Anne, proved to be one of the great love stories of the century. In this compelling biography Virginia Cowles presents us with astonishing battle scenes and political machinations. We get to know the man, as well as the soldier and statesman. Virginia Cowles was born and brought up in Boston, Massachusetts, but moved to England at an early age. In 1937 she became a war correspondent for the London Sunday Times and later the Daily Telegraph, covering most of the great events of the times from the Spanish civil war and the Russian invasion of Finland to the German invasion of France and the Allied campaigns in North Africa and Italy. She was awarded the OBE for her services. Virginia Cowles also knew Marlborough’s famous descendant and protagonist, Winston Churchill, about whom she wrote her first biography. Her other books include biographies of the Romanovs, the Rothschilds and the Astors. Praise for Virginia Cowles ‘Recounted at great speed, and with splendid life, vigour and readability’ – Antonia Fraser, Evening Standard ‘A fascinating historical read’ - The Telegraph ‘A rarity and a joy – a witty novel’ – Birmingham Daily Post ‘A luminously sketched view of human folly’ – The New York Times ‘For the political background alone you must read Cowles’ book, which deals with it admirably’ – Country Life