{"product_id":"2026200007477-secondhand-never-to-be-taken-alive-a-biography-of-general-gordon","title":"Never To Be Taken Alive: A Biography Of General Gordon","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition remarks:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBook: Good                          \u003cbr\u003eJacket: Worn\/faded, no tears\u003cbr\u003ePages: Good                  \u003cbr\u003eMarkings: No markings\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis gripping military biography chronicles the extraordinary life of General Charles George Gordon, one of the most celebrated and controversial figures of the Victorian era, tracing his path from decorated soldier to imperial legend. Roy MacGregor-Hastie presents a vivid and unflinching portrait of a man driven by fierce religious conviction, personal eccentricity, and an almost reckless disregard for his own safety — qualities that made him both a hero to the British public and a headache to his superiors. Never to Be Taken Alive details Gordon's campaigns across China, the Sudan, and beyond, culminating in the dramatic and fateful siege of Khartoum in 1885, where he met his end at the hands of the Mahdist forces. Written with narrative urgency and a sharp eye for historical context, the biography illustrates how Gordon's death transformed him into a martyr and a symbol of imperial sacrifice, igniting fierce political debate back in Britain. This is a compelling and authoritative account of a man who seemed to court destiny at every turn, making it essential reading for anyone drawn to Victorian history, military biography, or the complex legacy of the British Empire.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Secondhand Stock","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48887905583323,"sku":"2026200007477-SECONDHAND","price":15.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0523\/7646\/9701\/files\/f0b8df53-e4b8-429b-9eea-dc32ad72394b.png?v=1781748614","url":"https:\/\/bookgrocer.com\/products\/2026200007477-secondhand-never-to-be-taken-alive-a-biography-of-general-gordon","provider":"Book Grocer","version":"1.0","type":"link"}