The Last King of America: Andrew Roberts on King George III

Recorded on December 3, 2021
In his long and distinguished career, British historian Andrew Roberts has produced world-class biographies of Winston Churchill, and Napoleon, several histories of World War II and the men who led the countries who fought that war, and other great conflicts in world history. Roberts’s new book is The Last King of America: The Misunderstood Reign of George III, a biography of the monarch who led England during the American Revolution and who has been made into something of a caricature by Americans, most recently by his portrayal in the musical Hamilton as a preening, stuck-up (but funny) king of England. In this interview and in his book, Roberts goes to great lengths to deconstruct that distortion and, in the process, give us an extremely nuanced and detailed portrait of the man who created the conditions for America’s independence. Roberts also explains in great detail the dynamics between the British parliament and the nascent American government, including a fascinating account of the writing of and subsequent British reaction to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
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[@KainedbutAble123]

Compare this hour of wondrous knowledge to the garbage you get on TV. Incredible stuff, thank you so much for these discussions.

[@1969cmp]

The dialogue between George and John Adams displays deep respect and intelligence.

[@historybuff5103]

Thumbs up. Andrew Roberts deserves, and will probably receive, a knighthood for this and his earlier biography of Winston Churchill. Both books are highly readable, filled with new information, and favourable to their subjects without (completely) losing objectivity. The Last King of America is best enjoyed as bedside reading over a period of weeks or more.

[@CommonSwindler]

The Anglosphere comments were some of the most prescient of the entire video. Simply brilliant interview as always by Peter.

[@jstanley8342]

Entertaining as it is enlightening: first time I laughed aloud at one of these. The quip about the English home front not caring for the war until the French got involved really had me going, amongst other parts.

[@ws5934]

Love how these two are debating, as gentlemen mind you, the perhaps ounce of bad blood that yet exists between America and England going on 250 years after the course of events. Hilarious to see both batting patriotically for their sides in the most generous and charitable of manners. Great stuff!

[@brianbeard7502]

One of the more interesting Uncommon Knowledge interviews. Very well done.

[@Meandmythirdleg]

I enjoyed Napoleon the Great very much. I'll certainly be picking up the new book.

[@angusmcangus7914]

A terrific discussion, an eye-opener. Thank you, Peter. The real George III really is badly taught in Britain too. I also particularly liked Andrew's counter-factual musings. One could talk all day about that.

[@svenskanorsk]

Another book from Andrew Roberts? Yes please! I was about to read The Storm of War for the 4th time

[@EricM_001]

This previously ignorant coastal inhabitant of the Massachusetts Bay Colony enjoyed this talk thoroughly, and is now feeling enlightened! 😉

[@jamesmorgan2064]

Thank you for your time and efforts. Very enjoyable to learn .

[@histman3133]

I absolutely love Uncommon Knowledge!

[@zenocrate4040]

This discussion is case-in-point why I subscribe to the Hoover Institute’s channel. Superb. Cannot wait to read the book.

[@dougtalks]

I once heard Andrew Roberts speak and he casually mentioned something along the lines of "the current power of the US President dwarfs the power of King George III." That's a statement that certainly feels correct, but I'm curious if there are any detailed writings comparing the powers of a modern US President (as head of the administrative state) vs the power of the "tyrant" King George III.

[@pamcollins2178]

I love delving into my ancestors - warts & all. I may have been born & live in the US, but my people originated from Britain. My DNA is British. Good episode. Thanks!

[@GuyEndore]

It was a great book read it over Christmas break. Thanks for another great read!

[@pcdriver]

Peter's questions are very insightful here. Thank you for this.

[@td3428]

Can't wait to read this book. Great interview, kings.

[@nathanngumi8467]

Fascinating history!

[@tomredwest]

Another great interview Thank you

[@TheFirstManticore]

I came to awareness of the French and Indian wars through the writings of James Fennimore Cooper.

[@zacj15]

Wonderful content as always, but particularly insightful observation on the influence of the anglosphere at the end there

[@magnacartachas1558]

Superb discussion between two gentlemen. No grandstanding just great knowledge. Thank you. You now have another signed up devotee.

[@MikeGlanfield]

Wonderful, good natured and thoughtful. Thank you.

[@cindybogart6062]

This was a great discussion. I ordered the book & can’t wait to get it. Thank you both for this.

[@sriram957]

what a fantastic & civilized conversation! when I see men like this I understand why the last 600 years have been the centuries of western Europe (& America). (I am not a white person)

[@realMaverickBuckley]

It's crazy, I always forget that 'America' had Monarchs less than 250 years ago, so for roughly 40% of its existence.

[@BatmanBaggins]

Very interesting interview, thank you

[@frankbalistreri5171]

Still reading it, but a very interesting book, so far!

[@bitTorrenter]

56:53 - Love his point here.

[@steveboyd3455]

Lovely! Thank you.

[@Bacpakin]

Incredible!

[@7beers]

You'll pay money just to see yourself with Doctor Roberts.

[@ginamitembe8935]

Common language and laws are the best weapon!! Thanks Andrew Roberts for a brilliant crush history on the most handsome King!!👍💙

[@JonreLix]

excellent and fascinating

[@MajorTom1313]

excellent. Thank you.

[@russell9206]

Excellent interview, just one thing I would like to mention was that the Boston tea party they actually had to pay for the tea and the taxes that were owed on it so they didn't get away with nothing.

[@ChairmanWang]

Fantastic

[@lisadoetsch5618]

Wow. So very interesting.

[@lukejolley8354]

Hey bro what about Canada???? We split off in 1867 without a shot being fired!!

[@carlbyronrodgers]

Wonderful

[@brucehutchinson9527]

This is an extremely enlightening presentation and book. My sarcasm stated elsewhere is due to my sincere concern about the continued success of this Western Civilization the British Commonwealth has perpetuated. With covid-19 as the excuse Australia turning tyrannica; me worrying about Canada USA and Britain becoming social justice attempts at tyranny allowing CCP China to take over the South China Sea and the Pacific. The Asian version of a tin pot dictatorship North Korea threatening. The agreement with Hong Kong totally destroyed. The likes of Nike NBA LeBron James Google Apple every US Corporation that wants to make a buck and China selling their intellectual & economic souls to CCP China Etc Etc. taking up with and facilitating CCP China does not look good from my perspective.

[@briangarrett2427]

why does the table keep moving? Psychic power?

[@expatexpat6531]

George III was of course not the last European monarch with possessions on North American soil. Inhabitants of Florida remained subjects to the Spanish monarch until 1819. Texans also were Spanish subjects until 1810/11 and were briefly subjects of the Mexican Emperor from 1822 - 23. Alaskans were the subjects of the RU Emperor until 1867. Canada still has a king, and some say Elvis still reigns south of the Canada border.

[@miriamcohen7657]

Some problems not mentioned 1. No American could own a tree wider than one foot. 2. British soldiers were housed in American's homes. 3. Americans could only trade through GB, to name three. Seem important to me, and overlooked.

[@dartharpy9404]

Great. Buying the book

[@seanmoran2743]

Ref The Great War Britain should never have entered that Stupidity at all. It was a pity Britain didn’t have a Gladstone in office instead of Asquith. The damage that War did has been disastrous across the board and I’m not talking about Empire I’m talking about the damage done to the very fabric of Britain let alone the fabric of Europe

[@ccreasman]

What he has not said about the counter factual is that Ben Franklin had suggested that very thing during his time in London before and during the Stamp Act. The tragedy, as I see it, is that no one else had the foresight to truly see how a Commonwealth would have worked. And the author is correct….had there been no American Revolution with North America developing within a Commonwealth, there never would have been the world wars in the 20th century.

[@simpetcla12]

"I don't want Conservatives to be more like me, I want to be more like Conservatives" - Radial Conservative

[@daneracamosa]

Great discussion and a wonderful book.... But did Andrew just blame the death and destruction of the 20th century on our founding fathers? 😉

[@lydiahamilton6373]

57:00 Here here

[@MoralistaDefinitivo]

Ferdinand VII? Great interview but I don’t think Andrew would appreciate how you’ve titled it.

[@alanbrooke144]

1:09:30 The next logical step for the Angloshpere #CANZUK.

[@AnthonyGalli]

We went from revolting over a small tax and lack of representation to requesting we be taxed over 50% of our income and having our government increasingly run by unelected bureaucrats who are virtually impossible to fire. America is run by a Left-wing oligarchy where it will take a strong Executive leader to return America to our foundational principles.

[@anandkapdi4822]

❤️

[@JonathanRossRogers]

1:10:15 I learned a couple of words from this quote, the strangest being "uxoriousness." Was QE2 excessively fond of or submissive to a wife?

[@Chefkhev]

Hawaii was a Kingdom before it was overthrown.

[@matthewhaywood7815]

Good though I kinda wish they'd would gone more into his madness which the book went into

[@dr.debbiewilliams4263]

I did not see Hamilton.

[@mapa6772]

An amazing book.

[@Jubilo1]

And every colony had claims to the Ohio Territory as well as Geo. Washington. No revolution, no real estate.

[@Jubilo1]

George III in "Hamilton" -the only white actor in that Broadway travesty.

[@jrose-xp6tf]

God Bless America, God Save the Queen.

[@DanHowardMtl]

+1 for calling out China for what it is.

[@TimBitts649]

Bob Hope's son?

[@kingcrazymani4133]

The last king? I am reminded of Richard Feynman’s autobiography. Harrumph!! And double harrumph!! Since 2000, at the latest, the counterpoint should have been clear as a bell. Why it wasn’t is fodder for historians of the near and medium-term future. Example? Why were the members of the Boston Tea Party dressed as subjects of a North American king? Sending a clear message in 1773, a message blurred and shouted down, then never taught since….

[@bobinindiana]

The last king. Meanwhile the plea for no king but King Jesus has gone unanswered in the USA. We are almost just another heathen nation.

[@aqgrafx]

"vietnam was lost in congress'... seriously Robinson... read "a bright shining lie" and get out of the country once in your life and not stay in a high rise at a conference... go to Vietnam, go up country, meet some people... and learn something not in a book or just your repeating someone elses thought... Vietnam was not lost in congress, no matter what McMaster and Rumsfeld have told you.

[@MegaHeyme123]

So an oversimplification of his argument is that King George III is a good man because he wasn’t as bad as his predecessors or his contemporaries, yeah I don’t see any flaws with that.

[@numnut1987]

while interesting it seems to be look at it through very british tinted glasses

[@jesusalvarez-cedron6581]

I'm sorry, but the last king of America was Fernando VII.

[@elcanalderafaelbahamondeco7024]

Jajaja how funny, the last king of America was Fernando the 7th of Spain. Jorge was only the king of a insignificant speck of it.

[@kathreenpoulos3341]

King George how gracious after engaging in a bloody war getting thousands of humanity killed. Thay are all monsters. Don't get me wrong I have alot of respect for Queen Elizabeth the second.

[@essm4179]

How is discussing a 18th century weak monarch relevant today? Hoover, I like you but you can do better than to defend the institution of colonialism in today's world

[@TammyFacey]

I absolutely DEVOURED this book! It's a slightly different title here in the UK, but it is EXCELLENT!! And this is a great addition! Thank you! xx