Jabez : The Rise and Fall of a Victorian Scoundrel

by David McKie

Jabez The Rise and Fall of a Victorian Rogue

Genres: History, Victorian, Biography

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

David McKie (born 1935) is an English journalist and historian. He was deputy editor of The Guardian and continued to write a weekly column for that paper until 4 October 2007, with the byline Elsewhere. Until September 10, 2005, he also wrote a second weekly column, under the pseudonym "Smallweed".

His book Jabez: The Rise and Fall of a Victorian Scoundrel, a biography of the Victorian era politician and swindler Jabez Balfour, was shortlisted for the Saga Award for Wit, also known as the Silver Booker, as well as the Whitbread Book Award for biography. Great British Bus Journeys was shortlisted for a Dolman Best Travel Book Award in 2007.

Reviews

[K.J. Charles]

Moderately interesting account of a Victorian crook--a Maxwell style businessman who propped up his various companies using the funds of the building society he ran, lost a lot of people's life savings when it crashed, and legged it to Argentina. Some of this is amazing--eg the way he presented his village with a new recreation ground just before the crash, and sat there making speeches and watching the big parade they put on in thanks--then it turns out he, er, never bought it and they got sent a large bill for back rent.

Mostly though, the author clearly has a fondness for him as a magnificent rogue which I didn't share. The book tries hard to note the damage he did, remembering the several people who committed suicide because of him, but the overall impression is of a kind of "hey what a character" and...nah. Just another greedy lazy man propped up by all the other greedy lazy men profiting off the system. Bring on the tumbrils.

[Shane · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic book! though the story and facts are true, David McKie creates a truly vivid picture of a scandalous yet somehow legendary rogue, there are a myriad of layers to this complex story. get a copy now.

it is almost scandalous that Jabez Balfours story should be retold. however, we all learn a valuable lesson about our banking systems, savings schemes, insurance and assurance and having read this book, you might never trust the corporate world ever again.....that is, if you ever did.

[Gavin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Balfour Group of Companies of today may not be so dissimilar to its Victorian counterpart, founded by Jabez Spenser Balfour, he of the subject of this biography. The blurb names him as the Jeffrey Archer of his time, but he's a lot more interesting than Archer, at least based on this he is.

The subtitle should tell anyone interested all they need to know. It would have got 3 1/2 stars, if such a rating were available.

[James Bosanquet · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit ponderous and not really salacious enough! I'm enjoying it, and the author certainly has researched the character and the times. However he needs to find a voice and at over 400 pages, it needs a good editor.