Synopses & Reviews
Draws on previously inaccessible family archives to penetrate the anonymity and public reticence of one of Britains great twentieth century civil servants. Gowers was highly influential in public policy throughout his long civil service career, which began in 1903 and culminated in running Londons civil defence throughout the Second World War.
Synopsis
A comprehensive biography of the life and work of a man who was described as one of the greatest civil servants of his day, but is now primarily remembered for his best-selling book Plain Words.
About the Author
ANN SCOTT is Adjunct Professor in Criminology at the University of Queensland, Australia and also lectures in public policy. She has degrees in education and government and was a civil servant in Queensland for 20 years, 10 as a senior executive in the Queensland Police Service. She holds the Australian Public Service Medal.
Table of Contents
Preface * Anatomy of a Victorian Family * Education for Public Service * Coping with Lloyd George
* WW1: Under Cover at Wellington House * Influential Head of Enfeebled Mines Department * Quis Custodiet? Surtax, Syntax and Scandal * Mine Owners Bogy Man * WW2: Preparing for Londons Civil Defence * WW2: Leading London through the Blitz * Postwar Reconstruction *
Abolishing Capital Punishment * Plain Words * Revising Fowler * A Last Retrospect