The author, who occupies a chair in the University of Budapest, “has long been known as an enthusiastic admirer of England and a severe critic of Russia. This, his last book, is a systematic description and comparison of Russian and British rule in Asia, with an explanation of what he considers the immense superiority of the latter.... The book consists of three parts, entitled respectively the civilizing influence of Russia, the civilizing influence of England, and the future of Islam.” (Lond. Times.)
“The attitude adopted in the present volume is on the whole sound, and, as Britons, we think just. It is not quite uniform throughout. There are some contradictions in passages which would be startling if put side by side.”
+ – Ath. 1906, 1: 358. Mr. 24. 1160w. + Ind. 61: 214. Jl. 26, ’06. 660w. + Lond. Times. 5: 145. Ap. 27, ’06. 1880w.
“Could easily have been reduced to half its length and been a much better book. The book is disfigured by Professor Vambéry’s usual extraordinary Arabic, and by his quoting as ‘Koran’ all sorts of traditions from Muhammed which never had any connection with the Koran.”
– Nation. 83: 12. Jl. 5, ’06. 280w.
“It may be taken for granted that Prof. Vambéry writes entertainingly and with great circumspection. Prof. Vambéry cannot escape the condemnation of his countrymen as being a partisan of England.”
+ – N. Y. Times. 11: 471. Jl. 28, ’06. 1100w.
“We find it more interesting than his ‘History of Bokhara,’ or his ‘Travels in Central Asia,’ or even his ‘Autobiography.’”
+ Outlook. 83: 912. Ag. 18, ’06. 130w. + R. of Rs. 33: 764. Je. ’06. 60w.