​

May God forgive us for our sorry deeds and for our glorious intentions.  So wrote Hugh Clifford, while he was acting governor of Trinidad, in 1904.

​

From Nigeria to Fiji, Australia to Sri Lanka, Running the Show is a vivid portrait of empire and of men from another age, who formed so much of the world we live in today. Running the Show is the story of ordinary men, facing unimaginable circumstances. Made up of episodes from the lives of governors serving around the British Empire, it presents a kaleidoscope of people, places and events – and stories of how, for better or worse, attempts were made to bring order to often chaotic situations.

 

Drawing on an astonishing cache of never-seen-before material: Colonial Office dispatches, private letters, diaries and memoirs, Stephanie Williams’ account is utterly fascinating, eccentric, funny and moving, revealing the incredible personal stories of the governors and their wives. 

Reviews 

"Altogether admirable... the range and richness of Running the Show defies reviewers' analysis. A wonderful performance."

Jan Morris, The Times 

"Williams' research is exhaustive; her descriptions of the colonial life splendidly evocative. What emerges is a valuable picture of what empire-building was like: not the well-oiled machine of legend, but rather, an 'ad hoc and messy' affair, with the odd redeeming success."

David Evans, Financial Times

"Consistently surprising, frequently stirring and often very funny... Williams has a fluent, engaging style and a finely tuned ear for an anecdote. She pays proper attention to her subjects’ romantic entanglements - a combination of hot climates, plentiful supplies of booze and boredom sounding the death knell for numerous colonial marriages...a delight."

John Preston, Daily Mail

"Richly detailed, hugely enjoyable"

Piers Brendon, The Sunday Times

" amusing and lively, stuffed full of anecdotes and interesting titbits." Amanda Foreman, New Statesman