Patricia Wright (2)Critiques

A well written survey of the factors leading to the confrontation on the Upper Nile at Fashoda between France and England. The two powers had rather different motives for the face-off, and while the rhetoric on both sides was quite heated on both sides prevailed. It is interesting that the French contingent had suffered the more sevwre ordal to reach the fort at Fashoda. The reader gets a brisk survey of Britain on the Nile and the Mahdaist episode. The Marchand expedition is treated in moredetail, and their sufferings are adequately described. The maps are very informative, and the prose enlivened by several witty touches. Not serious in tone, but quite informative. Patricia Wright deserves a greater reputation than she enjoyed at the time.

A book that outlines the history of the prominent palace, and provides very interesting sidelights onto the history of London property development in the past. It is indeed more interesting than the title would indicate, and of wider interest than simple worship of the Royals.½