This collection investigates the private thoughts and political decision-making processes of British Prime Minister H.H. Asquith during the critical period leading up to the First World War. Michael Brock, a noted historian, provides the editorial framework for these documents, which were written to Venetia Stanley, a young woman significantly younger than the Prime Minister. The letters serve as a primary source for understanding the internal dynamics of the Liberal government and the personal vulnerabilities of a high-ranking statesman.

Historians and political scholars frequently cite this volume as a vital resource for understanding the human element behind the British government's wartime leadership. Experts note the high density of the prose and the candid nature of the letters, which provide a rare look into the private life of a Prime Minister.