Malcolm MacDonald: Bringing an End to Empire - Hardcover

Sanger, Clyde W.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0853239002 ISBN 13: 9780853239000

Publisher: Liverpool University Press, 1995

Synopsis

In his revealing biography of British politician and diplomat Malcolm MacDonald, Clyde Sanger gives a full account of MacDonald's central role in the decolonization of the British Empire. The son of British prime minister Ramsay MacDonald, Malcolm emerged from his father's shadow to take a crucial political and diplomatic part in the shaping of the Commonwealth.

About this title

Review:

Malcolm MacDonald probably did more than any other statesman or politician to make the transition from colonial empire to partnership in the world of today smooth and happy [a contribution] which has not yet been fully appreciated by many historians. In this book Clyde Sanger gives us a human, enduring portrait of the man and his enormous capacity for friendship [and] for understanding many other cultures. Ran Suyin

From the Back Cover:

Malcolm MacDonald (1901-1981) played a central role in the decolonization of the British Empire. In this first biography of a highly unusual public figure, Clyde Sanger gives a full account of MacDonald's working life, from early successes in Ireland to a crashing failure over Palestine, and his eclectic private life. As colonial secretary MacDonald moved colonial policy from a laissez-faire attitude to a developmental view, creating the first aid program, the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund. His last Cabinet post was as health minister during the London blitz, where he worked with Winston Churchill. Sent to Canada as British high commissioner MacDonald became MacKenzie King's confidant during the conscription crisis, the Gouzenko spy revelations, and the American "occupation" when the Alaska Highway was being built. His greatest work was done during his fourteen years in Asia, most notably in preparing Malaya's different racial groups for independence and mending fences between India and Britain after the Suez invasion of 1956. MacDonald's skill as a negotiator came from a combination of hard work, patience, and a great sense of fun and humanity. Walking on his hands around Nehru, swapping bird-watching tales with de Valera, discussing Chinese ceramics with Marshal Chen Yi, or playing nursery games with Jomo Kenyatta or the Iban head-hunter family who adopted him, he charmed his way to a remarkable series of diplomatic successes.

About this edition

• Publisher: Liverpool University Press
• Publication date: 1995
• ISBN 10: 0853239002
• ISBN 13: 9780853239000
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 528