Ferdinand Mount has been fascinated by the great thinkers & politicians who have shaped human history over the past two millennia In this fascinating, & provocative book, he examines the proposals for a political theory from a number of widely different historical figures. Twelve key people, from the great orator & statesman of Ancient Greece (Pericles) to the inspiration of the founding of the state of Pakistan (Muhammad Iqbal) we take a colourful & rip-roaring journey through the historical figures who have both inspired & provoked Mount in equal measure. The lives of men such as Jesus Christ, Rousseau, Adam Smith, Edmund Burke, & Thomas Jefferson are discussed & comparisons are drawn between the various approaches each figure promoted in their works
- whether philosophical, or political theories. For those wishing to be guided by Mount`s choices & be swept along by his brilliantly erudite prose, this will be a particular enjoyable read. Lots of colour, humour & passion governed all these people careers & Mount brings them to life like no one else can. Praise for the international-bestselling Tears of the Rajas:-` Mount is a skilled & fluent writer who does his subject justice` --Literary Review` Mount relates this remarkable story with a gentle wit, a lightness of touch, a boyish enthusiasm as well as a genius for the telling pen-portrait... It is a remarkable story, & cumulatively amounts to an epic panorama of British Indian history much more substantial than the `collection of Indian tales, a human jungle book`, which Mount modestly describes as his aim in the introduction.` --William Dalrymple, The Spectator` What [ Mount] provides instead is of far greater value: a perceptive antidote to nationalistic prejudicial thinking, & an opportunity for a greater understanding of the aftereffects of British imperialism in some of the world`s most troubled regions.` Sunday Times` Although Tears of the Rajas is replete with stirring tales of adventure, it is a deeply humane book. Mount`s heart is at all times with the people of India, whose lives are turned upside down by blundering attempts at modernisation.` The Times