Benjamin Disraeli joined William Gladstone in the House of Commons in 1837. A few years later a bitter feud developed between the two men and it lasted until Disraeli's death in 1881. During this time Disraeli, for the Conservatives, was Chancellor of the Exchequer three times and Prime Minister twice. Gladstone, for the Liberals, was during his lifetime Chancellor of the Exchequer four times and Prime Minister also four times.

This book analyses the causes of the feud, and it describes how it developed and the actions of two of the country's greatest statesmen. Their mutual antipathy was so great that Gladstone made an excuse not to go to his rival's funeral. In addition there is a wealth of fascinating information about them. Among other things this includes an account of Gladstone's controversial work rescuing prostitutes and his close friendship with former courtesans. It also describes how Disraeli wrote his famous novels, and his early disreputable business activities.