Synopses & Reviews
The Cliveden Set's pedigree was impeccable, and its social standing beyond reproach. Its persuasive powers permeated the clubs and institutions of London, the corridors of Oxbridge colleges, the pages of the quality press, and the great country houses of England. Its proceedings were conducted at Cliveden, the fabled country estate of Nancy and Waldorf Astor. Suddenly, in the late 1930s, this distinguished group was catapulted into notoriety. It had been identified as a cabal that sought to manipulate, even determine, British foreign policy. It would use any meanseven negotiate a dishonorable settlement with Nazi Germanyto maintain its privileges, those of a decaying ruling class. But was the Cliveden Set a traitorous cabal or simply a think-tank of harmless do-gooders? Norman Rose probes this fascinating story, brilliantly setting this privileged clique in the wider perspective of its times.
Synopsis
The Cliveden Set, named after the country estate of the fabulously wealthy Astors where the group would meet, included leading politicians, academics and writers of the pre-war period.
Synopsis
Lloyd George once spoke of 'a very powerful combination - in its way the most powerful in the country'. Its proceedings were invariably conducted at Cliveden, the country estate of the fabulously wealthy Nancy and Waldorf Astor. Collectively dubbed 'God's Truth Ltd', the group included leading politicians, academics, writers and newspaper editors. Its pedigree impeccable, its social standing beyond reproach, its persuasive powers permeated the clubs and institutions of London, the senior common rooms of Oxbridge colleges, the quality press and the great country houses of England. Suddenly, in the late 1930s, the 'Cliveden Set' was catapulted into uncalled-for notoriety. It had been identified as a cabal that sought to manipulate, even determine, British foreign policy in order to uphold its narrow class interests. It would use any means, however devious - even negotiate a humiliating, dishonourable settlement with Nazi Germany - to maintain its privileges, those of a decaying ruling class. But was the 'Cliveden Set' a traitorous cabal, challenging 'the constitutional structures of British democracy', or simply an unstructured think-tank of harmless do-gooders? Norman Rose discerningly probes this fascinating tale, brilliantly disentangling fact from fiction, and setting this privileged clique in the wider perspective of its times.
About the Author
Norman Rose holds the Chair of International Relations at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.