About book Farewell The Trumpets: An Imperial Retreat (1980)
If you've made it through the first two books of this series, you already know exactly what to expect. If you choose to start here because you're more interested in the post-Victorian reversal of fortune, then it's safe to say you could jump in and not really be lost. You'd miss out, but you wouldn't be lost. As in the previous books, the history is presented here in terms of overarching themes and anecdotes that paint a human face on the events of the time period covered. Morris' scholarship and storytelling is high caliber, and narrator Roy McMillan once again delivers as a knowledgeable yet personable guide.Having once been a superpower, the decline of empire and disasters of war are painted vividly here. While such rise and fall is the cycle all great empires throughout history have faced, the character of the British people give this story a distinct flavor of its own. Where Victoria provided the face of the rise, it was Churchill who gave them the determination to see it through to the end, and the reader can expect him to cast a long shadow across the evolution of these years. It's not just the fortunes or the politics of the British people that have reversed in this era; indeed, I feel perhaps that it's their sense of pride. Before Victoria's death, the pride was the innocent knowledge that they could do anything because they were untested in that era. After, especially in the years of the two world wars and beyond, it's the knowledge that they have survived the impossible through sheer willpower. It's perhaps for this reason this story continues to capture the imagination of the historically-minded. If you fit this description, this book's for you.
I really enjoyed this Pax Britannica trilogy (including book one Heaven's Command and book two Pax Britannica). It was fascinating history told in conversational manner and, although I am not a historian, I thought it was fair. As C.S. Lewis wrote: "That is the key to history. Terrific energy is expended—civilizations are built up—excellent institutions devised; but each time something goes wrong. Some fatal flaw always bring the selfish and cruel people to the top and it all slides back into misery and ruin." When I read this quote, it made me think of the Pax Britannica. With its roots in Wilberforce, the abolition of slavery and the like, it seemed as thought Britain really made the world better through the reign of Queen Victoria. It seemed to turn to arrogance and greed, though, in so many ways. The trilogy does not pronouce judgement, but describes the beauty and flaws, almost as if in eulogy and at wake, where tears and laughter are joined by respect for the life now dead.
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I could only find this book in audio form, which is not the best for me as I read in a stop start manner and often look back on paragraphs. So it was difficult to get the best out of this. Also, I was unable to get through all 16 discs in the time allotted by the library. Despite these issue, I thought it a tremendous work.Jan Morris' writing style appeals to me in that she has a light touch with wonderful insights into details and the humanity of people and events, whilst recording carefully researched history - just what brings the subject alive. That said, this is a huge volume of work - and just one of three on the long saga of the life of the British Empire. This particular one chronicles the end stages. It seemed to me a good place to start since it covers times and places I was part of or was familiar with in the not too distant past, in South Africa and the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.It is fascinating stuff and somehow puts things into perspective. In terms of world affairs, matters become much more objective, not such a big deal as they seemed close up, a small part of the whole. It also highlights the expendability of nations and people. With hindsight it is impossible not to see the arrogance, self-interest and inhumanity; and yet, what was it all about other than following the natural course at the time?
—Judy
