The Conquest of Morocco (Paperback)

by Douglas Porch (Author)
Key Phrases: des mehallas, sharifian army, vieux diplomate, Moulai Hafid, Bou Hamara, Bou Denib (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Historian Porch tells the story of France's subjugation of Morocco at the turn of the century, which was to be France's last major colonial acquisition. Drawing on memoirs and other writings, Porch tells how internal challenges to the unstable rule of Sultan Abd ed-Aziz opened the door to the French. He also recreates the clash of cultures and evokes a background of life in Tangiers and the medieval interior of the country. Altogether this history is "appealing and brightly told," PW noted.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Praise for The Conquest of Morocco:

"The conquest of Morocco was a great game--a picaresque war of modern times . . . Porch has brought it all back, including the Camel Corps and the never-never land of Sidi Bararni. Throw in von Sternberg and Dietrich-Charles Boyer, too-and what a movie it might have made." --The Boston Globe

"A colorful account. . .Douglas Porch tells the story of the conquest of Morocco with wit, wisdom and a proper appreciation of the accidents of history." --The New York Times Book Review

"[An] exotic and bravura popular history." -- Newsweek

"A lively chronicle . . . A good and valuable book." --The Washington Post Book World

"Porch applies his considerable wit and notable literary style to an exciting story ringing with ancient and modern war cries." --The Chicago Sun Times

"An entertaining history." --The Atlantic Monthly

See all Editorial Reviews

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Product Details Paperback: 368 pages Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux; 2nd edition (May 26, 2005) Language: English ISBN-10: 0374128804 ISBN-13: 978-0374128807 Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 4.9 x 0.8 inches Shipping Weight: 8 ounces Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #476,816 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in these categories: (What's this?) #25 in  Books > History > Africa > Morocco #54 in  Books > History > Africa > North Africa

Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Inside This Book (learn more)

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
des mehallas, sharifian army, vieux diplomate, great caids, native politics, colonial party, peaceful penetration, tribal levies, resident general, new sultan

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Moulai Hafid, Bou Hamara, Bou Denib, South Oranais, Walter Harris, Beni Snassen, Ain Sefra, Beni M'tir, Moulai Hassan, Middle Atlas, Moulai Idris, Bou Amar, Ben Sedira, Dar Debibagh, North Africa, Third Republic, Great War, Moulai Lahsin, Moulai Mohammed, Casba Tadla, Sidi Mohammed, Camp Marchand, Chamber of Deputies, Fez Djedid, General Monier

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 22 books:

• Morocco That Was by Walter Harris on 6 pages
• Morocco Under Colonial Rule: French Administration of Tribal Areas 1912-1956 by Robin Bidwell on 5 pages
• Lords of the Atlas: The Rise And Fall of the House of Glaoua 1893-1956 by Gavin Maxwell in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
• The Land of the Moors by B. Meakin in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
• Ritual and Belief in Morocco (2 volume set) by Edward Westermarck in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)

See all 22 books this book cites

 

35 books cite this book:

• Lyautey and the French Conquest of Morocco by William A. Hoisington Jr. on 7 pages
• Resisting Rebellion: The History And Politics Of Counterinsurgency by Anthony James Joes in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
• Murder in Marrakesh: Émile Mauchamp and the French Colonial Adventure by Jonathan G. Katz in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
• War and the World: Military Power and the Fate of Continents, 1450-2000 by Dr. Jeremy Black in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
• The Conquest of the Sahara by Douglas Porch in Front Matter, and Back Matter

See all 35 books citing this book

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Books on Related Topics (learn more)

Knowledge and Power in Morocco by Dale F. Eickelman

Discusses:

• resident general
• new sultan
• Middle Atlas

The Third Republic from its Origins to the Great War, 1871 - 1914 by Jean-Marie Mayeur

Discusses:

• colonial party
• peaceful penetration
• resident general

Lyautey and the French Conquest of Morocco by William A. Hoisington Jr.

Discusses:

• sharifian army
• vieux diplomate
• great caids

Nationhood and Nationalism in France by Robert Tombs

Discusses:

• vieux diplomate
• colonial party
• Third Republic

The March to the Marne by Douglas Porch

Discusses:

• vieux diplomate
• colonial party
• Third Republic

Knowledge and Power in Morocco by Dale F. Eickelman Discusses: resident general new sultan Middle Atlas The Third Republic from its Origins to the Great War, 1871 - 1914 by Jean-Marie Mayeur Discusses: colonial party peaceful penetration resident general Lyautey and the French Conquest of Morocco by William A. Hoisington Jr. Discusses: sharifian army vieux diplomate great caids Nationhood and Nationalism in France by Robert Tombs Discusses: vieux diplomate colonial party Third Republic Loading...

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Customer Reviews

5 Reviews 5 star:  (2) 4 star:  (2) 3 star:  (1) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.2 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 20 of 26 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Geat History and a Great Read!, November 23, 1999 By  Aussie Reader ""Rick"" (Canberra, Australia) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    This review is from: The Conquest of Morocco (Paperback) I have read this author's account on the French Foreign Legion and 'The Conquest of the Sahara' and this book is just as good as those two. Douglas Porch almost seems to have a inside line into what it must have felt like to be one of the actors of these great drama's. If you want to read a great book and learn something of the French involvement in the Middle East, you'll love this book and his others. Take the chance and buy a copy and then sit down and enjoy! 5 of 6 people found the following review helpful: 3.0 out of 5 stars Solid - 3.5, June 19, 2005 By  R. Albin (Ann Arbor, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    This review is from: Conquest of Morocco (Hardcover) This is essentially a case study of European imperialism at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century. The author is an expert on the French Army who has drawn into this topic by his interest in the colonial French Army. This is not, however, a campaign or traditional military history. Porch's emphasis is really on the politics of conquest and he does a good job of presenting multiple points of view, including analyses of French metropolitan politics and Moroccan politics. Porch takes pains to rebut the traditional schematic view of imperial conquest as systematically planned and driven by economic motives. In the case of Morocco, at least, colonization was not widely popular in France, though there was a substantial colonial lobby. Complicating the colonial enterprise was the fact that among Frenchmen supporting imperialism in Morocco, there was considerable disagreement about methods. Just as important were the personal ambitions and motives of French officials and soldiers on the ground in Morocco and Algeria. Motivations for imperialism in Morocco appear to be less economic than considerations of national prestige, the murky calculations of inter-European diplomacy, and the personalities of major actors like Gen. Lyautey, who became proconsul in Morocco. Porch presents Morocco as a feudal/tribal society stressed by contact with modernizing Europe. Morocco's disorder was exacerbated by the predatory economic and political policies of the European powers. The French, in particular, fomented unrest in an effort to justify conquest. French tactics also inadvertantly tended often to provoke resistance. Porch shows that the goal of a "civilizing" mission, held sincerely by some Frenchmen, including Lyautey, was either window dressing or a self-delusion. Ultimately, the conquest depended on sponsorship of dubious proxies and the naked use of force. 8 of 11 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars The French conquest of Morocco at the turn of the century., June 4, 2002 By  Kevin M Quigg (Carol Stream, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)       This review is from: Conquest of Morocco (Hardcover) Porch focuses his story on the last grab at Africa from a European country (except Mussolini's grab at Ethiopia). The story resolves around a general named Lautrey nibbling away at the borders of a falling apart Morocco. The Sultan no longer commands the repect of his countrymen and the Eurpoean powers have set up their privileges in the country. France sets the conditions whereby the Colonial department can add Morocco as a protectorate. I like Porch's writing style. This book focuses on Morocco similar to where The Scramble for Africa focuses on the colonial experience of all Africa.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars This is not a review. This is not a review. I wanted to point out what I feel is a big problem when buying a book that you can not see inside, as you would if you were in a bookstore. Read more Published on January 24, 2006 by R. Lee 5.0 out of 5 stars The French way Morocco has long had relations with Europe. After the fall of Rome the Vandals came from Europe through to Morrocco and North Africa. Read more Published on August 29, 2005 by Seth J. Frantzman Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux; 2nd edition (May 26, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374128804
• ISBN-13: 978-0374128807
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 4.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #476,816 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #25 in	Books > History > Africa > Morocco
  #54 in	Books > History > Africa > North Africa

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Geat History and a Great Read!, November 23, 1999

By	Aussie Reader ""Rick"" (Canberra, Australia) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This review is from: The Conquest of Morocco (Paperback)

I have read this author's account on the French Foreign Legion and 'The Conquest of the Sahara' and this book is just as good as those two. Douglas Porch almost seems to have a inside line into what it must have felt like to be one of the actors of these great drama's. If you want to read a great book and learn something of the French involvement in the Middle East, you'll love this book and his others. Take the chance and buy a copy and then sit down and enjoy!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Solid - 3.5, June 19, 2005

By	R. Albin (Ann Arbor, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Conquest of Morocco (Hardcover)

This is essentially a case study of European imperialism at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century. The author is an expert on the French Army who has drawn into this topic by his interest in the colonial French Army. This is not, however, a campaign or traditional military history. Porch's emphasis is really on the politics of conquest and he does a good job of presenting multiple points of view, including analyses of French metropolitan politics and Moroccan politics. Porch takes pains to rebut the traditional schematic view of imperial conquest as systematically planned and driven by economic motives. In the case of Morocco, at least, colonization was not widely popular in France, though there was a substantial colonial lobby. Complicating the colonial enterprise was the fact that among Frenchmen supporting imperialism in Morocco, there was considerable disagreement about methods. Just as important were the personal ambitions and motives of French officials and soldiers on the ground in Morocco and Algeria. Motivations for imperialism in Morocco appear to be less economic than considerations of national prestige, the murky calculations of inter-European diplomacy, and the personalities of major actors like Gen. Lyautey, who became proconsul in Morocco.
Porch presents Morocco as a feudal/tribal society stressed by contact with modernizing Europe. Morocco's disorder was exacerbated by the predatory economic and political policies of the European powers. The French, in particular, fomented unrest in an effort to justify conquest. French tactics also inadvertantly tended often to provoke resistance. Porch shows that the goal of a "civilizing" mission, held sincerely by some Frenchmen, including Lyautey, was either window dressing or a self-delusion. Ultimately, the conquest depended on sponsorship of dubious proxies and the naked use of force.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The French conquest of Morocco at the turn of the century., June 4, 2002

By	Kevin M Quigg (Carol Stream, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Conquest of Morocco (Hardcover)

Porch focuses his story on the last grab at Africa from a European country (except Mussolini's grab at Ethiopia). The story resolves around a general named Lautrey nibbling away at the borders of a falling apart Morocco. The Sultan no longer commands the repect of his countrymen and the Eurpoean powers have set up their privileges in the country. France sets the conditions whereby the Colonial department can add Morocco as a
protectorate. I like Porch's writing style. This book focuses on Morocco similar to where The Scramble for Africa focuses on the colonial experience of all Africa.