Walter Sichel: 2 books

Born Amy Lyon (1765-1815), Emma is best known as “The Friend of Lord Nelson” (this biography’s subtitle). Based on letters and manuscripts, of which many had only recently come to light, the author details Lady Hamilton’s life story, rising from childhood poverty to become one of the most celebrated women of her time.

The power of imagination is essential to supreme statesmanship. Indeed, no really originative genius in any domain of the mind can succeed without it. In literature it reigns paramount. Of art it is the soul. Without it the historian is a mere registrar of sequence, and no interpreter of characters....