The World Hegemon

Oct 7, 2024 12:17 AM

Author:William D. Rubinstein

The World Hegemon

‘In many respects, the nineteenth century belonged to Britain.’

For much of the period between 1800 and 1914 Britain was at the height of its power and influence, one of the world’s superpowers, if not its greatest.

It was the golden Victorian age – one of prosperity and transformation. Britannia ruled the waves, and through its achievements and influence, it was a leader for political, economic and cultural change. Its cities and population expanded rapidly, industrialisation and the advent of the steam railway revolutionised trade and the economy. The rise of the middle classes changed the social structure forever.

Politics was dominated by debate on Irish Home Rule, Britain escaped revolution by timely political reform, and the delicate balance of power in Europe was assiduously protected, despite minor wars in outposts of the Empire. This century clearly saw seismic change, but what did this mean to the nation? Just a few decades later, most of what Victorian Britain held dear would be shattered by the aftermath of the looming Great War.

Tracing the political, social and economic cultures of the period, as well as what might have been, William D. Rubinstein seeks to uncover how this fascinating century of change impacted the British people and their sense of identity.

Reviews

Schama's greatest gift is a sure eye for an extraordinary story...This isn't what you get from conventional historians or conventional art writers, more's the pity...Schama has written books which will still be bought and talked about a century from now and he hasn't lost an ounce of zest or intelligence. Damn him...

—— Andrew Marr , Prospect

He knows the history, the biography, and the art history...he made me look and learn. He is a great storyteller and we learn something new on every page.

—— A S Byatt , New Statesman

All of these lives rendered with an acuity of detail that could rival the best of portraitists ... describing Lawrence's portrait of Wilberforce, Schama calls the painting a work of "transforming empathy". That phrase could be true of his storytelling throughout this book.

—— Ekow Eshun , The Independent

Schama has a masterly ability to conjure up character and vivify conflict

—— Financial Times on 'A History of Britain'

With Schama you look at a picture and see it as you hadn't before

—— Telegraph on 'Rembrandt's Eyes'

Splendid, spirited, immensely enjoyable and wide-ranging

—— Financial Times on 'The Story of the Jews'

Shows Schama at his best . . . as full of memorable incident as a Bellow novel and wittier than a Woody Allen movie

—— The Times on 'The Story of the Jews'

Schama writes with grace and wit, and his enthusiasms are contagious

—— Anita Brookner on 'The Embarrassment of Riches'

Dazzling, beyond praise

—— Sunday Times on 'Citizens'

Beautifully crafted and scrupulously researched… The Zhivago Affair is a prime example of hard work and fidelity to a good story

—— Washington Post Sunday

As gripping as any spy thriller

—— Sunday Times

Fascinating...With a delightful eye for detail

—— Catherine Merridale , The Times

Finn and Couvée deal objectively with the characters involved and tell the story with exceptional vivacity

—— Literary Review

A thrilling literary espionage yarn...sheds new light on the Cold War struggle for the hearts and minds of millions of people

—— Michael Dobbs

A fascinating tale that sheds new light on the literary front of the Cold War

—— Stephen Coulson , Lady

High dudgeon, high stakes, high art

—— Robert Bound , Monocle

A wonderful book

—— Angus Roxburgh , The Herald

A fast-paced political thriller about a book that terrified a nation

—— Kirkus Reviews

Brisk and thrilling...expertly told...a triumphant reminder that truth is sometimes gloriously stranger than fiction

—— Publishers Weekly

Groundbreaking reporting and character-rich storytelling... Passionately written...almost makes one nostalgic for a time when novels were so important that even the CIA cared about them

—— Ken Kalfus

A sparkling and fascinating account

—— David E. Hoffman

Well-paced narrative...of great relevance today, when such conflicts seem (but only seem) to have disappeared.

—— Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky

Immensely compelling

—— Fred Hiatt , The Pat Banker

Meticulously researched

—— Duncan White , Irish Independent

The true strength of this meticulously researched book is the placing of the revelations into the context of a compelling human drama

—— Weekly Telegraph

Engrossing

—— Andrew Lynch , Sunday Business Post

[An] outstanding treasure of literature

—— Market Oracle

Impeccably researched, and moving, this book breaks new ground

—— 5 stars , Sunday Telegraph

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