A great book on a fascinating topic. Raphael writes brilliantly, and there are many lovely turns of phrase and witty one liners. He is a little verbose at times, and it can interrupt the flow a little while you look up some Latin or French, or some passing cultural or historical reference, but it's all worth it. As for Byron himself, this is definitely a warts and all biography, but he is no less fascinating and enigmatic a character for that.