The Balance Of Power

by John Kendrick Bangs

Book Overview

The Balance of Power is a political satire novel written by American author John Kendrick Bangs, first published in 1901. The book is a humorous take on the concept of balance of power, which refers to the distribution of power among nations to prevent any one country from becoming too dominant.The story is set in the fictional country of Vulgaria, which is on the brink of war with its neighboring country, Altruria. The ruler of Vulgaria, King Folly, is a foolish and incompetent leader who is more interested in his own pleasures than in the welfare of his people. His advisor, the Prime Minister, is equally inept and corrupt.In an attempt to maintain the balance of power, the leaders of the other nations in the region send their representatives to Vulgaria to negotiate a peace treaty. However, these representatives are also more concerned with their own interests than with the welfare of the people they represent.As the negotiations progress, it becomes clear that no one is truly interested in peace, and the situation deteriorates into a farcical struggle for power. The book is a biting satire on the political systems and leaders of the time, and a commentary on the futility of war and the dangers of unchecked power.Overall, The Balance of Power is a witty and entertaining read that offers a unique perspective on the politics of the early 20th century.THIS 32 PAGE ARTICLE WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE BOOK: The Booming of Acre Hill and Other Reminiscences of Urban and Suburban Life, by John Kendrick Bangs. To purchase the entire book, please order ISBN 1417915137.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1425478069
• ISBN13: 9781425478063
• Release Date: December 2005
• Publisher: Kessinger Publishing
• Length: 48 Pages
• Weight: 0.29 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 8.3" x 11.0"