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Title: The Man Who Would Be King, and Other Stories (Oxford World's Classics (Paperback)) by Rudyard Kipling ISBN: 0-19-283629-3 Publisher: Oxford University Press Pub. Date: 01 April, 1999 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $8.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.6 (5 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Brutal story, subtle satire.
Comment: The story of the man who would be king describes the journey of two half-mad yet determined Englishmen from obscurity in India to divine rule in far-off Kafiristan. The two men smuggle themselves into Afghanistan posing as a mad priest and his servant, steal some mules when their camels can go no further, trek over the vast mountains, and set themselves up as kings by demonstrating the power of the rifle to spear-brandishing natives (in the most murderous way, one might add). They later establish their status as gods by introducing Masonic mystery and orders to the mountain villages. Eventually, however, their humanity is exposed, thus wrecking the dream of empire.
The story itself is witty and exciting, driven by the raw prose and longing for exotic adventure characteristic of Kipling. At the same time, this short tale is remarkable as a summary of imperialism and its problems. The questionable motives and courses of actions of the imperialists are exposed, yet at the same time they are shown to reflect human nature more than ideology or political purpose. The ease with which a small number of people with superior technology can subjugate much larger numbers is also demonstrated in a non-sentimental fashion (it is certainly not a politically correct story by present standards). Finally, the ending emphasizes the impossibility of maintaining authority in the long run under such circumstances - technological knowledge must be revealed to maintain order, responsibility must be shared with intermediaries, and propaganda will eventually be appropriated for subversive purposes. If only historians could be as brief and straightforward as Kipling in recognizing these simple facts about how imperialism came about and how it was doomed to failure.
Rating: 4
Summary: A different side of Kipling
Comment: While they are quite enjoyable, most of the stories in this collection pale when compared to the author's later works, such as the Jungle Books and Just So Stories. There are definite traces of his trademark wit, but only "The Man Who Would Be King" stands comparison to his more well known pieces. It's an excellent story, and as I was reading it, I couldn't help but think it was the spiritual cousin to Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. If you enjoyed one, you'll enjoy the other, as both share the theme of regular men reaping the consequences of forcing civilization on people. A good black comedy.
Rating: 5
Summary: A Forgotten Classic
Comment: If you have the gift of being able to engulf yourself in a story then you are in for an adventure. In this beautiful work by Kipling you are a soldier of fortune headed back into territory with your brother in arms where you both fought bravely for Queen and country. But now its just the two of you with a different victory in mind. This book will put you in the heart of the battle with the characters so that you can go through the trials and experience the victory.
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Title: The Man Who Would Be King: The First American in Afghanistan by Ben Macintyre ISBN: 0374201781 Publisher: Farrar Straus & Giroux Pub. Date: 21 April, 2004 List Price(USD): $25.00 |
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Title: Gunga Din and Other Favorite Poems (Dover Thrift Editions) by Rudyard Kipling ISBN: 0486264718 Publisher: Dover Publications Pub. Date: 01 August, 1990 List Price(USD): $1.50 |
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Title: Kim (Penguin Classics) by Rudyard Kipling, Edward W. Said ISBN: 0140183523 Publisher: Penguin Books Pub. Date: 01 August, 1992 List Price(USD): $7.00 |
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Title:The Man Who Would Be King ASIN: 630469864X Publisher: Warner Studios Pub. Date: 18 November, 1997 List Price(USD): $19.98 Comparison N/A, buy it from Amazon for $16.38 |
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Title: War Stories and Poems (Oxford World's Classics (Paperback)) by Rudyard Kipling ISBN: 0192836862 Publisher: Oxford University Press Pub. Date: 01 April, 1999 List Price(USD): $9.95 |
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