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Blood Brothers |
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| Blood Brothers by Iain McCallum Chatham Publishing 224 pages, 1999 ISBN 1861760965 Reviewed by Faith Leslie - South Africa This is a biography of two brothers, Hiram and Hudson Maxim who were pioneers of modern warfare. In fact, the name Maxim is synonymous with World War I when the Maxim machine gun was used to great effect. This book is an attempt to fill in the gaps and to rectify some of the flaws and inaccuracies of the autobiographies published late in life by the brothers. As a descendant, Percy Maxim Lee reminds us that the two men "competed for fame and fortune with passion, sometimes with bitter animosity, and always with flamboyant publicity. Both of them loved a rip-roaring fight; they were brilliant, ruthless and overflowing with virility and vitality, ambition and intellect; they were both egocentric and egotistical..." Born in the United States of poor parents, Hiram, the elder brother (thirteen years older than Hudson) had little formal education. Yet he was an inventive genius, more so than his younger brother who nevertheless had a great deal of talent. The author traces their lives through poverty, struggle and amazing ingenuity to wealth and fame. Many criticized the brothers for producing such death weapons, yet both firmly believed that strong armament was the only way to preserve peace. Their inventions were responsible for the deaths of many during the First World War. Hiram Maxim received a knighthood for his contribution to historic inventions. Hudson returned to the United States and became wealthy. Sir Hiram Maxim died in 1916, not living to witness the end of the war. The brothers remained bitter enemies until the end. Iain McCullum's interest in the warfare of late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries is evident. He has researched not only the Maxim brothers but has also made a comprehensive study of the British artillery shells crisis during the First World War. A gripping and colourful account of ambition and sibling rivalry. Blood Brothers is his first book. |
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