David Nokes presents a gripping and authoritative portrait of Swift in his multifarious roles as satirist, politician, churchman and friend. Drawing on the most recent scholarship, he seeks in particular to re-establish a proper balance between Swift’s public and private lives.

‘The best biography of Swift to date.’ Michael Foot, Observer

‘David Nokes’s book is splendid.’ Denis Donoghue, London Review of Books

‘Should remain the standard one-volume Life for years to come.’ New York Times