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Paperback Conquest of Morocco Book

ISBN: 088064057X

ISBN13: 9780880640572

Conquest of Morocco

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Book Overview

"The Conquest of Morocco" tells the story of France's last great colonial adventure. At the turn of the twentieth century, Morocco was a nation yet to emerge from the Middle Ages, ruled by local warlords and riven by religious fanaticism. But in the mad scramble for African colonies, Morocco had one great attraction for the Europeans: it was available. In 1903, France undertook to conquer the exotic and backward country. By the time World War I broke out the conquest was virtually complete. Based on extensive original research, "The Conquest of Morocco" is a splendid work of popular history.

Customer Reviews

5 ratings

A look at the late imperial era.

An early work by Professor Porch (1982). An accessible work of history - popular history. The writing is breezy at times with a literary flavoring. Written over forty years ago when he was in his thirties there is a snappy, wisecracking sensibility that his later, more mature works, do not have. I read the 2004 re-print with an introduction by Professor Porch. He writes that the "Conquest" books ( The Conquest of the Sahara: A History) were written for fun (explaining that breezy, wisecracking attitude) and he assigned the books to a type of "Boys Own" adventure history. He acknowledges that twenty plus years later attitudes and ideas had changed when it came to views on colonialism and the post-colonial world. This is a well written and researched piece of history, but it is more of an adventure story - even as the grimy aspect of colonialism is acknowledged but not dwelled on. As noted in the previous paragraph, Dr. Porch himself describes it as a fun piece of adventure history. I would have absolutely eaten it up as a teenager when I was devouring imperial adventure fiction/science fiction by such writers as Rudyard Kipling, H. Rider Haggard, H. Beam Piper and Jerry Pournelle. However, the way we see the world and ourselves at sixteen is very different at fifty-six. Therefore, some of the fun and excitement is not there. Doesn't take away from the fact that his is a well-done piece of history. It just shows that even a relatively short 40+ years ago ideas and attitudes were different.

Thank you!

Very nice

The French way

Morocco has long had relations with Europe. After the fall of Rome the Vandals came from Europe through to Morrocco and North Africa. later in the 8th century the Arabs, newly converted to Islam, swept through Morocco on their way to Jihad in Europe. Later, after the reconquista of Spain in 1492 the Spanish moved into Morocco, at first to free European slaves. In the 1700-1800s Morocco was on seat of the Barbary pirates who plagued European ships and took European slaves. In the late 18th century this all ended and the cycle began anew with the French conquest. The SPanish had a small northern strip of Morocco but this book focuses only on the French role, which is perhaps a disappointing for the Spanish war with the Mountain Rif(Berber) tribes was as interesting if not more so. This book, like Porch's others, is very good, artfully told, beautifully rendered, an easy fun and popular read. Highly recommended for anyone interested in Africa, colonialism or the 19th century. Seth J. Frantzman

The French conquest of Morocco at the turn of the century.

Porch focuses his story on the last grab at Africa from a European country (except Mussolini's grab at Ethiopia). The story resolves around a general named Lautrey nibbling away at the borders of a falling apart Morocco. The Sultan no longer commands the repect of his countrymen and the Eurpoean powers have set up their privileges in the country. France sets the conditions whereby the Colonial department can add Morocco as a protectorate. I like Porch's writing style. This book focuses on Morocco similar to where The Scramble for Africa focuses on the colonial experience of all Africa.

Geat History and a Great Read!

I have read this author's account on the French Foreign Legion and 'The Conquest of the Sahara' and this book is just as good as those two. Douglas Porch almost seems to have a inside line into what it must have felt like to be one of the actors of these great drama's. If you want to read a great book and learn something of the French involvement in the Middle East, you'll love this book and his others. Take the chance and buy a copy and then sit down and enjoy!
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