First Lady - Softcover

Frederick Lees

Softcover

ISBN 10: 9745241466 ISBN 13: 9789745241466

Publisher: Orchid Press, 2012

Synopsis

The corrupt and despotic rule of Antonio Floresco, longtime dictator of the Caro- lines, seems finally to be unravelling. The economy is in shambles, the people have been reduced to desperate poverty, a communist insurgency is rapidly making gains in the countryside. Even the Church has turned its back on the regime. Meanwhile, scheming members of the aristocracy, as well as Floresco s most trusted cabinet ministers and sinister forces from abroad, actively plot the downfall of this brilliant and still charismatic, if deeply flawed, leader. His only remaining allies seem to be his Oxford-educated daughter, Conchita, and his wife, the First Lady. History, though, has demonstrated that if there is one creature more venal, ambitious and self-serving than a despotic ruler it is likely to be the despot s consort. And the First Lady of the Carolines is no exception to the rule. In the midst of this explosive mixture, Conchita has fallen in love with the wealthy nephew of one of Floresco s most vocal critics. While Floresco himself has a rare soft spot in his heart reserved for his daughter, the First Lady has no such weaknesses. A gripping and unforgettable tale of lust and intrigue, love and redemption and particularly recommended reading for the world s remaining dictators.

About this title

About the Author

Frederick Lees was born in 1924 in Cheshire, joining the British Overseas Civil Service after WW2, he was posted to Malaya working on countering the Communist Insurgency. Subsequently he entered the British Diplomatic Service which took him back to South East Asia at the time of Indonesian confrontation against the newly formed Federation of Malaysia. In the 1970 s he became involved in the work of British and European non-governmental agencies active in Third World development; this, for a while, brought him to the Sudan in the aftermath of the first civil war and to Ethiopia in the period just before the anti-monarchy` revolution. Later he returned to diplomatic work to train the foreign service of Papua New Guinea. The last part of his overseas career was spent in Manila during the years of the People Power revolution against the Marcos regime. His interest in Arthurian studies began in his university days and so the Arthuriad represents many years of research into the early Dark Ages period, enhanced by his personal experience of social ferment, political rivalries and ambitious leaders in situations ranging from the Malay sultanates to the religious conflicts of the Sudan and the tribal wars of Papua New Guinea. His deep understanding of human motivation has enabled him, on the foundation of Catumandus memoirs, to transform 5~6th cent. Britain from an age of legend into a real world that is both harsh and beautiful. Lees command of the English language, which at times soars to the poetic, was amply demonstrated in the Annals of the Purple City, a novel of east west human relationships rich in erotic and mystical elements, inspired by a sojourn in the early 1950s in Macao.

Edition details

• Publisher: Orchid Press
• Publication date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 9745241466
• ISBN 13: 9789745241466
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 356