The story of the life of Benjamin Disraeli is the story of the rise of British imperialism and the consolidation of its far-flung empire.  For a clearer understanding of the role England has played in the world during the last century one has but to study the career of the Prime Minister who shaped her policy.  Certainly no writer of our time has interpreted the man and his period more faithfully or plainly than Andre’ Maurois.  His book has a special timeliness at the moment of gravest danger to the British Empire.