Synopses & Reviews
“A Superb New Biography . . . A Tragic Story, Brilliantly Told.” —Andrew Roberts, Literary ReviewGeorge Nathaniel Curzons controversial life in public service stretched from the high noon of his countrys empire to the traumatized years following World War I. As viceroy of India under Queen Victoria and foreign secretary under King George V, the obsessive Lord Curzon left his unmistakable mark on the era. David Gilmours award-winning book—with a new foreword by the author—is a brilliant assessment of Curzons character and achievements, offering a richly dramatic account of the infamous long vendettas, the turbulent friendships, and the passionate, risky love affairs that complicated and enriched his life.
Born into the ruling class of what was then the worlds greatest power, Curzon was a fervent believer in British imperialism who spent his life proving he was fit for the task. Often seen as arrogant and tempestuous, he was loathed as much as he was adored, his work disparaged as much as it was admired. In Gilmours well-rounded appraisal, Curzon emerges as a complex, tragic figure, a gifted leader who saw his imperial world overshadowed at the dawn of democracy.
Review
“An absorbing, witty and intelligent biography . . . Gilmours mix of erudition, hard analysis and quizzical amusement will give this volume a unique place on the ever more crowded shelves of political biography.” —Ben Pimlott,
The Independent on Sunday
Review
"[An] absorbing, intelligent, quizzical, and stylish biography . . . No clearer and more vivid account has been written of the high point of the Raj--its workaday management as well as its pomp." --Benjamin Schwartz,
The Atlantic Monthly
Synopsis
Includes bibliographical references (p. 651-662) and index.
Synopsis
“A Superb New Biography . . . A Tragic Story, Brilliantly Told.” —Andrew Roberts, Literary ReviewGeorge Nathaniel Curzons controversial life in public service stretched from the high noon of his countrys empire to the traumatized years following World War I. As viceroy of India under Queen Victoria and foreign secretary under King George V, the obsessive Lord Curzon left his unmistakable mark on the era. David Gilmours award-winning book—with a new foreword by the author—is a brilliant assessment of Curzons character and achievements, offering a richly dramatic account of the infamous long vendettas, the turbulent friendships, and the passionate, risky love affairs that complicated and enriched his life.
Born into the ruling class of what was then the worlds greatest power, Curzon was a fervent believer in British imperialism who spent his life proving he was fit for the task. Often seen as arrogant and tempestuous, he was loathed as much as he was adored, his work disparaged as much as it was admired. In Gilmours well-rounded appraisal, Curzon emerges as a complex, tragic figure, a gifted leader who saw his imperial world overshadowed at the dawn of democracy.
About the Author
David Gilmour is the author of many works of literary and political history, including The Long Recessional: The Imperial Life of Rudyard Kipling (FSG, 2002) and The Last Leopard: A Life of Giuseppe di Lampedusa. He lives in Edinburgh.
Table of Contents
Illustrations -- Preface to the American edition -- Preface -- Maps -- Ancestral silence -- Passionate resolves : Eton, 1872-1878 -- Layng the foundations : Oxford, 1878-1883 -- Twin passions : women and work, 1882-1885 -- The journey to Westminster, 1885-1887 -- Travel with a purpose, 1887-1890 -- The coming man, 1890-1895 -- Hearts and souls -- Number two at the FO -- Sailing to Bombay -- The governance of Inida -- Let India be my judge -- Partners and colleagues : the problem of the princes -- Guarding the frontiers -- The Viceroy's routine -- 1902 : Proconsular Zenith -- Fatal appointments, 1902-1903 -- The Gulf, Bengal and Tibet -- An inifinitude of trouble : England, 1904 -- Kirchener's conspiracy -- The breaking of the Viceroy -- Ever man's hand -- Picking up the pieces -- The conversion of Diehard, 1909-1911 -- Suffragists and other targets, 1911-1914 -- Lord Curzon at home -- In search of a role, 1914-1915 -- Air board and war cabinet, 1916 -- The second Lady Curzon -- Eastern questions, 1917 -- Lord President -- The foreign office at last -- Middle Eastern scrambles, 1919-1955 -- Lloyd George and the Turks, 1919-1922 -- Resurgence : Lausanne, 1922-1923 -- Family sagas -- Ultimate disappointments, 1923-1925 -- Chronology -- Notes -- Sources and bibliography -- Acknowlegments -- Index.