An entertaining biography of 18th-century aristocrat, society hostess and political pundit Georgiana Spencer. Much like her great-great-great-great niece Princess Diana, Georgiana was thrust into the public eye when she married into the aristocracy. She became wrapped up in scandal, gambling, and drugs but also emerged as an influential figure in politics. It's a well written and carefully researched portrait of an intriguing woman and her world. Foreman won the Whitbread prize for this, her debut book.  (GBR520, $15.95)