The Man Behind the Poet
I found very interesting this book in which Edward John Trelawny tells us about the time he spent with Lord Byron and Percy Bhysse Shelley since his arrival in Italy until the death of Shelley first and then the death of Byron later in Greece.
Went to Italy to know Byron, Trelawny finds himself disappointed by the conduct and the character of the poet, he himself says, "To know an author, personally, is too often but to destroy the illusion created by his works ", but remains fascinated by the character and intellect of Shelley with which he will immediately tighten a strong bond, "Shelley was a grand exception to this rule. To form a just idea of his poetry, you should have witnessed his daily life; his words and actions best illustrated his writings.. " After the death of Shelley, Trelawny will follow Byron in Greece where he stayed to fight after the death of the poet and will meet his wife.
The book contains anecdotes, snippets of conversations and letters of the two poets and we are shown their human side more that their being poets. To read if you, like me, love Byron and Shelley, or are just a little curious about their lives. ( )

Recollections of the Last Days of Shelley and Byron is a penetrating character analysis by one who knew both Shelley and Byron intimately. Trelawney was the one who cremated Shelley on the beach in Italy and sailed with Byron to Greece to take part in the Greek War of Independence in the early 1800’s.
Trelawney’s style is both lively and engaging. ( )