The Conquest of Morocco: The Bizarre History of France's Last Great Colonial Adventure, the Long Struggle to Subdue a Medieval Kingdom by Intrigue and Force of Arms, 1903-1914

by Douglas Porch

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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0394511581
• Release Date: January 1983
• Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
• Length: 335 Pages
• Weight: 1.65 lbs.

Customer Reviews

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!