Golden Nemesis: Manifest Destiny Between 1880 And 1900 tells the story of how 19th century American and British capitalists sponsored international terrorism for their own purposes and consequently shaped the patterns and course of the 20th century. ISBN 978-1-60145-876-6.
READER REVIEW
Golden Nemesis is for the reader of history who wants to explore the uneven paths of our past, to appreciate stories left behind in the records of previous generations.
Heather Vallance, author and researcher, combines her considerable talent for assimilating disparate sources and a tenacity for analyzing the nuances of those sources; in Golden Nemesis, most notably those individuals who arguably shaped and manipulated geo-political organizations and systems during the latter half of the 19th century.
Heather Vallance has focussed on key individuals who were protagonists in the Anglo-
American power struggle for what then was gold and what later became oil as a shaper of global economic dominance.
Few know the name Cecil John Rhodes. Far more know of one of his legacies, the Rhodes Scholarship. Few know the power and greed which he exerted during his quest to shape Africa as his own. Far more can attest to the privileged selection process for the scholarship which bears his name. Such is the juxtaposed reality of how historical record is subsumed yet lives on as a memorial to a twisted personality through forgotten or rarely explored texts.
But Rhodes was not a lone opportunist. Barney Barnato left a legacy of economic dealings which would shape the gold houses of Africa and the world. Heather Vallance highlights his astounding rise as a global economic powerhouse, but more intriguingly pursues a long forgotten thread of how demise often follows the absurdities of extreme intent.
Such men duped investors, shocked industrialists in Europe, the UK and America with their daring. Yet, they never could have ultimately shaped their worlds without links with individuals and organizations globally which often operated in the shadows.
Then, as now, loosely organized groups which focus on destabilizing systems often coalesce for mutual gain only to fragment later due to internal, intensely personal agendas. The fragmented worlds of organizations in the 19th century were variously labeled, nationalist, tribal or clan. These were potentially as volatile as any today which are called: gangs, warlords, terrorists.
Following years of searching, assimilating and analyzing primary sources Heather Vallance has opened a window for our further understanding of this critical period of contemporary history. Those sources are shared with the reader as a chronology in the last section of the book.
This carefully researched and written book powerfully reminds us to explore the motives of the people who helped carve the social and political paths for what became the American powerhouse as the 20th century unfolded, while the fortunes of Britain faded remarkably. A must read for those often left feeling a huge gap between what is put on the page and what often remains in the shadows of history.
The following bookstores have Golden Nemesis: Manifest Destiny Between 1880 And 1900 available online which means that copies can be ordered at your local branches as well.
In many cases shipping is free and there is a discount for new releases if you order online.
BRITAIN
BLACKWELL http://bookshop.blackwell.co.uk/jsp/id/Golden_Nemesis/9781601458766
WATERSTONES http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/displayProductDetails.do?sku=6856503
IRELAND
EASON BOOKS http://www.eason.ie/look/9781601458766/Golden-Nemesis/Heather-Vallance
SOUTH AFRICA
EXCLUSIVE BOOKS http://www.exclusivebooks.com/display.php?PHPSESSID=qj7vng0sgk56v47c8kh8nku660&ean=9781601458766
UNITED STATES
BARNES & NOBLE http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Golden-NemesisHeather-Vallance/e/9781601458766/?itm=1
As always, check out the comparative costs of shopping through the Booklocker.com. It may just be cheaper!
Filed under: Golden Nemesis: Manifest Destiny Between 1880 And 1900 , American History, British History, Colonial History
