Pretty interesting reading, especially in light of today's goings on. Some things never change. Classic example of steal the money intended to aid the poor to line the pockets of the rich. The other side of some of the scandalous goings on behind the types of fortunes so sought after in Jane Aust... ...more

This is a highly-detailed yet completely readable study of local corruption in the late C18 and early C19. It has vivid descriptive passages and reasoned comment, taking the reader from stage to stage of Joseph Merceron's seemingly irresistible rise. Certainly this is an important book for local... ...more

I had never heard of Joseph Merceon until I came across this book in a bookshop and it turned out to be a very enjoyable and interesting read

Joseph Merceon was born above a pawnbrokers in Brick Lane London in the year 1764. In the insuring years he would rise to control the whole of... ...more