GENERAL GORDON by Garrett, Richard

London 1974, Arthur barker, UK first edition, hard bound in dust jacket, VG/VG CONDITION, 240 pages, illus, 2 maps, index.-------------------------------------------------------------------What kind of man was General Gordon, the victim of Khartoum? A politically naive soldier, who aspired to govern? A religious fanatic, or the epitome of a practising Christian? Or was he, more simply, an eccentric Victorian adventurer?During his hazardous career, Gordon seemed to be the very essence of muscular Christianity — the prototype, perhaps, of a Boys' Own Paper hero. In reality, however, he was a man tormented by conflict. Out of the turmoil came a simplicity, a clearness of vision, which was dangerous. In a world of statesmen who would happily bend the truth to suit their needs, he was uncomfortably the odd man out.Gordon was the type of man who is irresistible to writers and theorists. Richard Garrett's biography, a worthy contribution to the line of Gordon literature, tells the story of this great soldier's life with considerable sense of character. General Gordon is essential reading for anyone who is interested in adventure and humanity.