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Review
"Contains may superb color photographs that enhance Maxwell's lively narrative."--"Library Journal"
Product Description
the greatest Moroccan travel book of all time:vital reading for the new upmarket Marrakesh tourism - one of the bibles of British twentieth-century Orientalism - by the author of A Ring of Bright Water - describes the extraordinary medieval nature of Morocco in the twentieth century, focussing on a family who combined the lethal elegance of gangland mobsters with the opulent charm of hereditary Indian princes, fed by a monopoly in drugs and prostitution - a perennial classic for the backlist which will sell and sell - POS material available
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is an interesting and reasonably sympathetic biography of a 20th century feudal potentate, with a good overview of Morocco's internal politics and it's relations with Europe
Format:Paperback
Whether you are a first time visitor to Morocco or return again and again this is a must read. It presents a fascinating insight into the country's recent history, a period that is within the living memory of many of us. Well researched it reads like a thriller but, having followed his trail, casts light on why the Morocco of today is the way it is. It enlightens and reveals and it's a gem.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
5 reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Maxwell illuminates a dark period of history
25 Oct 1999
Format:Paperback
The fact that the first half of this book draws extensively and almost exclusively from the work of Harris, should in no way detract from the achievement of Maxwell. He has presented a very complex period of history, in an accessible and entertaining format. At times it is necessary to remind yourself that not only is this a true story, but that most of the events portrayed took place this century. It is a fantastic account of the power behind the French Protectorate, and a reminder that politics has always been a filthy business. Anyone planning a visit, or who has been to Morocco, especially the Glaoui kasbahs of the High Atlas, should read this book, as should fans of bloody, political intrigue.
Lords of the Atlas
5 July 2010
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I know so little of that part of the world. My grandson is there with the peacecorps and I want to know more about the people there and their way of living.
I am only in the beginning of the book, will certainly read more. It is hard to believe that all this happened only 50+ years ago.
I am only in the beginning of the book, will certainly read more. It is hard to believe that all this happened only 50+ years ago.
3 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Complete and utter rubbish
16 Jun 2010
Format:Paperback
I bought this book because it was one of those books that have achieved almost legendary status. It was banned in Morocco under the previous king because apparently its disparaging comments about the Royal family. Anyone who had any interest in the Middle East over the past 20 years would have at least heard of it so I was looking forward to a compelling read about the rise and fall of the Pashas of Marrakesh and the Altas.
What I found was a confusing jumble of fact, fiction and travellers accounts verified by nobody. The biography at the rear of the book gives no real clue to Maxwell his motives behind the book or what research (If any) He bothered to take other than this is apparently some peak in orientalist writing. What you do find is that although he spent some time in Iraq with a local guide he never set foot in Morocco until 1966. Something which makes the book all the more confusing as he writes of first hand experiences he apparently had in the early 1900s! I did a bit more digging and found it to be largely based on the book "Morocco that was" Maxwell even talks as though he is having conversation with that author. Maxwell tells us tales of brutality and mass murder to the extent you would be surprised that there still exists a population in Morocco. Everyone appears to be motivated by sexual pleasure, gold and prostitution. Its badly researched badly put together and is so muddled by half way through the book I ended up having to revert to the book by Nasr (History of the Maghrib) To actually make any sense of it! The last few pages where Maxwell informs us that prostitution has no stigma in Morocco, they are welcome into the homes of a newly married girl and seen as a good omen there. Maxwell even goes as far as to tell us that they have tattooed on their genitalia the Islamic declaration of faith!!!! To be honest I frankly just gave up at that point and consigned this drivel to the rubbish bin.
If you want a book singing the praises of a few thugs who made good during the French mandate (Primarily on prostitution) A book filled with unsupported (And frankly slanderous) comments, a book written by a man who clearly doesn't know the first thing about Morocco, Islam or Arab culture and a book that's basically a rip off from someone else's then this really is the book for you.
Read a year in Marrakesh or even just read Morocco that was and save yourself the money.
What I found was a confusing jumble of fact, fiction and travellers accounts verified by nobody. The biography at the rear of the book gives no real clue to Maxwell his motives behind the book or what research (If any) He bothered to take other than this is apparently some peak in orientalist writing. What you do find is that although he spent some time in Iraq with a local guide he never set foot in Morocco until 1966. Something which makes the book all the more confusing as he writes of first hand experiences he apparently had in the early 1900s! I did a bit more digging and found it to be largely based on the book "Morocco that was" Maxwell even talks as though he is having conversation with that author. Maxwell tells us tales of brutality and mass murder to the extent you would be surprised that there still exists a population in Morocco. Everyone appears to be motivated by sexual pleasure, gold and prostitution. Its badly researched badly put together and is so muddled by half way through the book I ended up having to revert to the book by Nasr (History of the Maghrib) To actually make any sense of it! The last few pages where Maxwell informs us that prostitution has no stigma in Morocco, they are welcome into the homes of a newly married girl and seen as a good omen there. Maxwell even goes as far as to tell us that they have tattooed on their genitalia the Islamic declaration of faith!!!! To be honest I frankly just gave up at that point and consigned this drivel to the rubbish bin.
If you want a book singing the praises of a few thugs who made good during the French mandate (Primarily on prostitution) A book filled with unsupported (And frankly slanderous) comments, a book written by a man who clearly doesn't know the first thing about Morocco, Islam or Arab culture and a book that's basically a rip off from someone else's then this really is the book for you.
Read a year in Marrakesh or even just read Morocco that was and save yourself the money.
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