Lord Cromer: Victorian Imperialist, Edwardian Proconsul [Paperback]

Roger Owen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 4, 2005

In the heyday of Empire just before the First World War, Lord Cromer was second only to Lord Curzon in fame and public esteem. In the days when Cairo and Calcutta represented the twin poles of British power in Asia and Africa, Cromer's commanding presence seemed to radiate the essential spirit of imperial rule. In this first modern biography Roger Owen charts the life of the man revered by the British and hated by today's Egyptians, the real ruler of Egypt for a quarter of a century.

Editorial Reviews

Review

`Review from previous edition timely and welcome.' Piers Brendon, Oldie

`Judicious and timely biography ... Owen does not need to apologise for the Proconsul. He successfully explains him and his actions in his subject's own terms--much as David Gilmour did in his biography of Lord Curzon, and that is praise indeed.' Andrew Lycett, Literary Review

`Owen presents a man of liberal principles forced, like Tony Blair, to change his approach because of the demands of the job. He is good on the diplomatic connotations of Baring's policies and skilfully integrates the necessary economic detail into his text.' Andrew Lycett, Literary Review

`The story of the way that Cromer imposed his will by constantly outmanoeuvring French investors, Cairo journalists, British Radical politicians, Egyptian premiers, gung-ho generals and Turkish suzerains makes this a fascinating read.' Andrew Roberts, The Sunday Telegraph

`Owen's fine and scholarly book shows how in fact there was a delightful personality behind the proconsul who always looked as though he was modelling for his own statue.' Andrew Roberts, The Sunday Telegraph

`This masterly biography, the first modern life of one of the most famous of British imperialists. Roger Owen is the first person to make extensive use of Cromer's notes and the archives in the Foreign office and in the India Office concerning his years of power.' Philip Mansel, The Spectator

`first-rate ... lucid account ... will stimulate interest in one of the most fascinating and important of colonial or semi-colonial regimes' John Darwin, TLS

About the Author

Roger Owen is A. J. Meyer Professor of Middle East History, Harvard University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 462 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (August 4, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0199279667
• ISBN-13: 978-0199279661
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,097,188 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Review of Cromer's Greek Poetry, December 10, 2009

By 

Ryan S. Mease "scott.godwin" (Chicago, IL, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lord Cromer: Victorian Imperialist, Edwardian Proconsul (Hardcover)

NOTE: This is a review of a work written by Cromer that is not currently available on Amazon. It is NOT a review of the above biography. I have chosen to write my review hear in hopes that anyone looking for Cromer's anthology of Greek poetry will come across this link and, hopefully, discover my review.

Review of 'Paraphrase and Translations'

I'm going through all this trouble because Cromer's collection of Greek poetry, mostly Hellenic, is a profound contribution to existing collections. While Cromer admits a looseness with the text, his great skill in composing versed rhyme makes his translation well-worth the read. I recommend his anthology 'Paraphrase and Translations from the Greek' to anyone who can find it.