David Gilmour Knihy

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A brilliantly illuminating study of the writer who embodied the spirit of his country a hundred years ago as closely as Shakespeare had done 300 years before. This biography of Rudyard Kipling is the first to show how the life and work of the great writer mirrored the trajectory of the British Empire, from its zenith to its final decades. His famous poem 'Recessional' celebrated Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897, but his last poems warned of the dangers of Nazism, and in those intervening years Kipling, himself an icon of the Empire, was transformed from an apostle of success to a prophet of national decline. As Gilmour makes clear, Kipling's mysterious stories and poetry deeply influenced the way his readers saw both themselves and the British Empire, and they continue to challenge us today

Aims to unearth the life story of the creator of The Leopard, one of the novels of the twentieth century. This book stands as a meditation on what it is that makes a writer.

Few statesmen have led such colourful and controversial lives as George Nathaniel Curzon. Brilliant, tempestuous and - in the words of the notorious rhyme - superior, his career was an almost unparalleled blend of triumph and disappointment. Queen Victoria's last Viceroy of India, his term of office ended in dramatic resignation. And despite his later successes as Foreign Secretary, George V thwarted his ambition to become Prime Minister.

Recognized as one of The Economist's Books of the Year, this title delves into significant themes that resonate with contemporary issues. It presents a compelling narrative that intertwines thought-provoking insights with engaging storytelling. Readers can expect a well-researched exploration of its subject matter, offering fresh perspectives and fostering deeper understanding. The book's critical acclaim highlights its relevance and impact, making it a must-read for those interested in its themes.

The British in this book lived in India from shortly after the reign of Elizabeth I until well into the reign of Elizabeth II. They were soldiers, officials, businessmen, doctors and missionaries of both sexes, planters, engineers and many others, together with children, wives and sisters. This book describes their lives, their work and their extraordinarily varied interactions with the native populations; it also records the very diverse roles they played in the three centuries of British-Indian history. Gilmour writes of people who have never been written about before, men and women who are presented here with humanity and often with humour. The result is a magnificent tapestry of life, an exceptional work of scholarly recovery which reads like a great nineteenth-century novel. It makes a highly original and engaging contribution to a long an important period of British and Indian history

In 1900 just over a thousand British civil servants ruled a population of nearly 300 million people spread over a territory now covered by India, Pakistan, Burma and Bangladesh.

Who of the British went to India, and why? We know about Kipling and Forster, Orwell and Scott, but what of the youthful forestry official, the enterprising boxwallah, the fervid missionary? What motivated them to travel halfway around the globe, what lives did they lead when they got there, and what did they think about it all? Full of spirited, illuminating anecdotes drawn from long-forgotten memoirs, correspondence, and government documents, The British in India weaves a rich tapestry of the everyday experiences of the Britons who found themselves in "the jewel in the crown" of the British Empire. David Gilmour captures the substance and texture of their work, home, and social lives, and illustrates how these transformed across the several centuries of British presence and rule in the subcontinent, from the East India Company's first trading station in 1615 to the twilight of the Raj and Partition and Independence in 1947. He takes us through remote hill stations, bustling coastal ports, opulent palaces, regimented cantonments, and dense jungles, revealing the country as seen through British eyes, and wittily reveling in all the particular concerns and contradictions that were a consequence of that limited perspective. The British in India is a breathtaking accomplishment, a vivid and balanced history written with brio, elegance, and erudition

Gilmour delves deep into Italy's cultural past to discover not only the effects of Risorgimento, but what, if anything, earlier generations have said about the concept of Italy. He examines what the Enlightenment thinkers believed, what Dante thought, what Machiavelli wanted and what the emperors made of it.

The book offers an insightful analysis of the political context surrounding Kipling's works, showcasing a thorough understanding of the historical influences that shaped his writing. Gilmour's assessment is praised for its clarity and reliability, making it a valuable resource for readers seeking to grasp the complexities of Kipling's literary contributions.