The Cliveden Set by Norman Rose
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.
A lively, entertaining and informative account of one of the stranger episodes to have created a national legend -- Anthony Howard * Sunday Times *
A model piece of historical writing..A lively, generous-minded and convincing demolition of a contemporary legend -- Anne Chisholm * Sunday Telegraph *
Norman Rose...is a master of Britain's internal relations...his knowledge is extensive and his touch assured...In fine, economical, sometimes epigrammatic prose he has written a thoroughly entertaining, absorbing account -- Ian Gilmour * London Review of Books *
Well-researched, well-written and fascinating...a fine work -- Andrew Roberts * Daily Telegraph *
Norman Rose sorts out the Cliveden Set for us once and for all...calm, lucid and authoritative * Spectator *
A model piece of historical writing..A lively, generous-minded and convincing demolition of a contemporary legend -- Anne Chisholm * Sunday Telegraph *
Norman Rose...is a master of Britain's internal relations...his knowledge is extensive and his touch assured...In fine, economical, sometimes epigrammatic prose he has written a thoroughly entertaining, absorbing account -- Ian Gilmour * London Review of Books *
Well-researched, well-written and fascinating...a fine work -- Andrew Roberts * Daily Telegraph *
Norman Rose sorts out the Cliveden Set for us once and for all...calm, lucid and authoritative * Spectator *
Norman Rose is a graduate of the LSE and now holds the Chair of International Relations at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. A distinguished historian and Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, he is also the author of much acclaimed biographies of Winston Churchill and Chaim Weitzman, as well as a study of the Cliveden Set.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780712667425 |
| ISBN 10 | 0712667423 |
| Title | The Cliveden Set |
| Author | Norman Rose |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Vintage |
| Year published | 2001-08-02 |
| Number of pages | 288 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |