CECIL RHODES - THE MAN AND HIS DREAM

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Stead (Herbert Baker W.)

198 pages.  Volume 14 of the Rhodesia Reprint Library Silver Series.  Leatherbound, unboxed.  Published by Books of Rhodesia 1977.   100 numbered editions of the series were produced, however this book is not numbered.  Clean tight, in exceptionally good condition.

CECIL RHODES
The Man and His Dream

Notes from the Publisher:

CECIL RHODES-the Man and His Dream is a newly titled edition of two notable, early biographies now presented as a single reprint volume to honour the memory of Rhodes on the 75th anniversary of his death (26 March 1977).

The work comprises Cecil Rhodes by his architect, Herbert Baker (1934); and The Last Will and Testament of Cecil John Rhodes, with additional chapters by W. T. Stead (1902). They complement one another splendidly in portraying the character and thinking of Rhodes.

Herbert Baker, designer of many architectural gems, makes a rich offering of reminiscences which reveal Rhodes, not so much the financial wizard, empire builder, nor politician, as a patron of the arts.

Stead, who regarded Rhodes as a mixture of a Roman emperor, one of Cromwell's Ironsides and Ignatius Loyola, was a sympathetic interpreter of the great man's dreams. He deals with Rhodes' aspirations and the criteria of selection for Rhodes scholarships, and analyses his political and religious ideas from his letters, speeches and conversations.

Rhodesian author, Oliver Ransford, has contributed a brilliant appraisal of Rhodes in a new Foreword. He discusses the profound influence upon Rhodes of the thinking of Winwood Reade, author of Martyrdom of Man; and of Livingstone with his similar designs, pride of race and belief in the British destiny. Also explained is how Rhodes' heart condition would have contributed to his anxiety to perpetuate himself through his works. Ransford concludes with an interesting speculation on what Rhodes' attitude might be towards Rhodesia today: ". . . But he would feel proud too of the way Rhodesians of all races were prepared to defend their standards, and in doing so, have provided a potential 'turning point' in the unfolding history of the world as the inevitable struggle between the Western powers and communist imperialism approaches. The memory of their grim endurance will provide for Rhodes the truly worthy monument he craved."