"Imaginative, original--wittily written."--The Washington Post Book World
To some, England has long represented tolerance, reason, and political moderation. To others, it is a moribund bastion of snobbery and outdated tradition. In this lively and diverting social history, noted author Ian Buruma, himself the son of Dutch immigrants to England, provides an incisive look at anglophilia--and anglophobia--over the last two centuries.
From passionate enthusiasts like Voltaire and Goethe, to exiles like Garibaldi and Herzen, to colorful England-bashers like Napoleon, Marx, and Kaiser Wilhelm II, Anglomania gives a sharply satirical account of Europe's sometimes comical, sometimes deadly prejudices, and explains why England's individuality and her relationship with Europe is still vitally important as we enter the twenty-first century.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Voltaire, says Ian Buruma, was the ultimate Anglophile: liberal, humorous, enlightened, and ultimately humane. In that respect, he's not unlike Buruma himself, whose delightful Anglomania weaves a compelling story, from Voltaire onward, of the ways in which European exiles and émigrés have fallen under the spell of the intangible mix of snobbery, liberalism, xenophobia, and tolerance which make up the English character.
Buruma's roll call of Anglophiles is impressive. Wonderful sections on Voltaire are followed by chapters on Goethe's Bardolatry, a marvelously vivid account of frustrated revolutionary exiles in Victorian London (including Marx and Mazzini), and Theodor Herzl's vision of a Jewish state based on his admiration of the English aristocracy. The book concludes with sketches of two of the most influential Anglophiles of 20th-century English culture: Nikolaus Pevsner and Isaiah Berlin. But Buruma never loses sight of the darker side of national belonging, interweaving his own complex family history into the narrative, as well as some subtle and perceptive accounts of the state of the nation as Buruma views it from the office of The Spectator and the Conservative Party Conference in post-Thatcherite Britain. A marvelous book about belonging and Englishness: witty, erudite, subtle, and above all humane. --Jerry Brotton, Amazon.co.uk
To some, England has long represented tolerance, reason, liberty, and political moderation. To others it is a bastion of snobbery and outdated tradition. In this original and diverting history. Ian Buruma, whose own family emigrated to England from Holland and became passionate admirers of their adopted country, provides an illuminating account of anglophilia -- and anglophobia -- over the course of the last two hundred years.
From England's most vociferous fans, Voltaire and Goethe, to grateful political exiles like Herzen and Garibaldi, to notable England-bashers like Napoleon, Marx, and Kaiser Wilhelm II, Anglomania gives a sharply satirical look at Europe's sometimes comical, sometimes deadly prejudices. And as England, at the close of the twentieth century, yokes its political and economic future to that of the Continent, Anglomania's themes -- what makes England different from Europe, and what they have in common -- remain as vital as ever.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
US$ 3.99
Within U.S.A.
Seller: Books From California, Simi Valley, CA, U.S.A.
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Seller Inventory # mon0002982357
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Concordia Books, Rensselaer Falls, NY, U.S.A.
Trade Paperback. Condition: Very Good. First American Edition. a near fine copy. Seller Inventory # 014799
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: HPB-Movies, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_381948743
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Harmonium Books, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.
Soft cover. Condition: Fine. 1st Edition. Trade pbk.; unread; clean, crisp; previous owner's nameplate on endpaper. Seller Inventory # ABE-1606965182143
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Irish Booksellers, Portland, ME, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. SHIPS FROM USA. Used books have different signs of use and do not include supplemental materials such as CDs, Dvds, Access Codes, charts or any other extra material. All used books might have various degrees of writing, highliting and wear and tear and possibly be an ex-library with the usual stickers and stamps. Dust Jackets are not guaranteed and when still present, they will have various degrees of tear and damage. All images are Stock Photos, not of the actual item. book. Seller Inventory # 10-096588662x-G
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Pendleburys - the bookshop in the hills, Llanwrda, United Kingdom
Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. 1st Edition. paperback, pictorial card covers, a very good tightly bound copy with a clean and unmarked text, xii + 304pp. Seller Inventory # 273136
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Yare Books, Great Yarmouth, United Kingdom
Soft Cover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. First Edition. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Seller Inventory # 022147
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Fireside Bookshop, Stroud, GLOS, United Kingdom
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. First American Edition. Type: Book N.B. Small label to inside front cover. Seller Inventory # 052169
Quantity: 1 available