William Pitt the Younger re-examines Pitt's career in the light of recent research and emphasizes that it should not be stereotyped as having a 'reformist' phase in the years to 1793 and a 'reactionary' phase thereafter.

His treatment includes explanation of:

* Pitt's rapid rise to power
* the importance of his relations with George III
* contemporary party politics, including his own description of himself as an 'independent Whig'
* his administrative and financial reforms in the 1780s
* his foreign policy and war strategy
* his plans for assuring a satisfactory political union with Ireland and why they were frustrated.

This volume by Eric J. Evans, includes a complete historical background to the leader's political career and analyses his achievements. The author outlines Pitt's economic, domestic and foreign policy as well as detailing the changes in party politics and monarchy during the period.