Biographies on Talleyrand

[GeneralHankerchief]

I've recently become interested in the French diplomat and all of his particular dealings and was looking for further reading material on the man's life. I was wondering if anyone here's read anything on him, and if so, they'd be so kind as to share it.

I don't really have a particular preference as to the type of biography - perhaps just a general overview, covering a little bit of everything, maybe with some anecdotes. Many thanks in advance. :bow:

[Louis VI the Fat]

Never read any of the sort, sorry.

I should get my hands on a biography of some sort perhaps. I am not sure whether he is a fascinating, complex character who managed to bend each new circumstance to his will, or just a crafty little bugger with a few kilo of opportunism and a rubber band where other men have firm convictions and a spine.

[TinCow]

I recently read Citizens, by Simon Schama (http://www.amazon.com/Citizens-Chronicle-Revolution-Simon-Schama/dp/0679726101). While it is an exclusively Revolution-focused book, Talleyrand does feature heavily in it, and he's used as a vehicle for both the introduction and the conclusion. The book is certainly not a substitute for a biography of the man, though it is a very comprehensive overview of the Revolution itself. I'll check the bibliography when I get home to see what sources he primarily relied on.