A Sort of Conscience: The Wakefields

Temple, Philip

ISBN 10: 1869402766 / ISBN 13: 9781869402761

Edité par Auckland University Press, Auckland, 2002

A propos de cet article

This copy feels unread and has a tiny repaired closed tear to the jacket. Scarce in hard cover. This remarkably engaging study of a Wakefield family that played a prominent role in the settlement of New Zealand and other English colonies draws on a rich store of personal letters to paint a portrait of a complex family whose influence crossed the globe. A gripping family story, this volume also provides an accessible history of British colonial settlement in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. For postage outside NZ this volume weighs 1.3 kg and can be checked for its postage cost to your location at NZ Post Ratefinder We do not make a profit from postage. (TM).

N° de réf. du vendeur 037353

Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: A Sort of Conscience: The Wakefields
• Éditeur: Auckland University Press, Auckland
• Date de parution: 2002
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN à 10 chiffres: 1869402766
• ISBN à 13 chiffres: 9781869402761
• Reliure: Hardcover
• Édition: 1st Edition
• État de l'article: As New
• État de la jaquette: Near Fine
• Catalogues du vendeur:
  • Biography
  • History

A propos de ce titre

Synopsis

At once notorious and visionary, Edward Gibbon Wakefield and his brothers played a key but controversial role in the early British settlement of New Zealand, Australia and Canada. Once famed as New Zealand's 'Founding Fathers', they have since become the arch-villains of all post-colonial scenarios of the past. Deciding that neither myth made good historical sense, Philip Temple saw that, astonishingly, there was no adequate biography of the family most responsible for the establishment of the Wellington, Nelson and Canterbury settlements. In stitching together a net of letters and documents, Temple has produced the most comprehensive account yet of the Wakefield family's role in colonial development and selfgovernment across the old Commonwealth. He follows not only the brothers' careers but also establishes the role of the Wakefield women and gives extensive accounts of Edward Gibbon Wakefield's first elopement and his later abduction of Ellen Turner. Temple follows Edward Gibbon's tortuous career through colonial politics from the 1830s to the 1850s and shows how his brothers and son strongly influenced, for good and bad, the founding of new nations. This engaging narrative, written in a strong and evocative:literary style, relates a story of courage and vision; cupidity and stupidity; high risk and adventure; success against the odds and, ultimately, terrible tragedy. Required reading for anyone who would better understand New Zealand's, and the Commonwealth's, early colonial history - and the role of its essential family.

À propos de l?auteur

Philip Temple is a distinguished author best known for his environmental novels, children's books and books on mountaineering and exploration.