Description
Book SynopsisSince the end of the Cold War so-called experts have been predicting the eclipse of America's "special relationship" with Britain. But as events have shown, especially in the wake of 9/11, the political and cultural ties between America and Britain have grown stronger. Blood, Class and Empire examines the dynamics of this relationship, its many cultural manifestations-the James Bond series, PBS "Brit Kitsch," Rudyard Kipling-and explains why it still persists.
Contrarian, essayist and polemicist, Christopher Hitchens notes that while the relationship is usually presented as a matter of tradition, manners, and common culture, sanctified by wartime alliance, the special ingredient is empire; transmitted from an ancient regime that has tried to preserve and renew itself thereby. England has attempted to play Greece to the American Rome, but ironically having encouraged the United States to become an equal partner in the business of empire, Britain found itself supplanted.
Trade ReviewThis is a genuinely important book, and not the less so because it is so entertaining. * Philip Ziegler, Daily Telegraph *
A deeply engaging voice - witty, elegantly sceptical, and with real intellectual sinew. I can think of no-one I would rather read on this subject. * Ian McEwan *
Table of Contents1: Greece to Their Rome 2: Brit Kitsch 3: The Bard of Empires 4: Blood Relations 5: Vox Americana 6: From Love to Hate and Back Again 7: The Churchill Cult 8: FDR's Victory; Churchill's Defeat 9: Churchill's Revenge 10: Imperial Receivership 11: Discordant Intimacy 12: The Bond of Intelligence 13: Nuclear Jealousies
