THE KING AND THE COWBOY Hardback - 2008

From the publisher

The story of the unlikely friendship between King Edward the Seventh of England and President Theodore Roosevelt, which became the catalyst for an international power shift and the beginning of the American century. In The King and the Cowboy, renowned historian David Fromkin reveals how two unlikely world leadersaEdward the Seventh of England and Theodore Rooseveltarecast themselves as respected political players and established a friendship that would shape the course of the twentieth century in ways never anticipated. In 1901, these two colorful public figures inherited the leadership of the English-speaking countries. Following the death of his mother, Queen Victoria, Edward ascended the throne. A lover of fine food, drink, beautiful women, and the pleasure-seeking culture of Paris, Edward had previously been regarded as a bon vivant. The publicaeven Queen Victoria herselfadoubted Edwardas ability to rule the British Empire. Yet Edward would surprise the world with his leadership and his canny understanding of the fragility of the British Empire at the apex of its global power. Across the Atlantic, Vice President Rooseveltathe aristocrat from Manhattan who fashioned his own legend, going west to become a cowboyasucceeded to the presidency after President McKinleyas 1901 assassination. Rising above criticism, Roosevelt became one of the nationas most beloved presidents. The King and the Cowboy provides new perspective on both Edward and Roosevelt, revealing how, at the oft-forgotten Algeciras conference of 1906, they worked together to dispel the shadow cast over world affairs by Edwardas ill-tempered, power-hungry nephew, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany. AtAlgeciras, the U.S and major European powers allied with Britain in protest of Germanyas bid for Moroccan independence. In an unlikely turn of events, the conference served to isolate Germany and set the groundwork for the forging of the Allied forces. The King and the Cowboy is an intimate study of two extraordinary statesmen whoain part because of their alliance at Algecirasawould become lauded international figures. Focusing in particular on Edward the Seventhas and Theodore Rooseveltas influence on twentieth-century foreign affairs, Fromkinas character-driven history sheds new light on the early events that determined the course of the century.