What do you think?
Rate this book
Short of Glory
A satirical romp through the corridors of the Foreign Office as Patrick Stubbs is posted as third secretary in the British Embassy in Lower Africa. Mayhem awaits him - an absent-minded ambassador, a bullying first secretary with a dipsomaniac wife, and a crush on the police chief's wife! The author won the 1981 Royal Society of Literature Award for "A Breed of Heroes". In 1983 he was chosen as one of the Best of Young British Novelists.
- GenresFiction
416 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1984
7 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Alan Judd
34 books63 followersAlan Judd is a pseudonym used by Alan Edwin Petty.
Born in 1946, he graduated from Oxford University and served as a British Army officer in Northern Ireland during 'The Troubles', before later joining the Foreign Office; he currently works as a security analyst. He regularly contributes articles to a number of publications, including The Daily Telegraph, and The Spectator as its motoring correspondent. His books include both fiction and non-fiction titles, with his novels often drawing on his military background.
He lives in Sussex with his wife and daughter.
Born in 1946, he graduated from Oxford University and served as a British Army officer in Northern Ireland during 'The Troubles', before later joining the Foreign Office; he currently works as a security analyst. He regularly contributes articles to a number of publications, including The Daily Telegraph, and The Spectator as its motoring correspondent. His books include both fiction and non-fiction titles, with his novels often drawing on his military background.
He lives in Sussex with his wife and daughter.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 25, 2023
A gently humorous and engaging read. Considerable and, I expect, justified mockery is made of the civil servants from the foreign office.
It’s a thinly disguised version of S Africa, called Lower Africa in the book, and appears to be set before the end of apartheid.
Well drawn characters and, although a little slow at times, worth persevering with.
It’s a thinly disguised version of S Africa, called Lower Africa in the book, and appears to be set before the end of apartheid.
Well drawn characters and, although a little slow at times, worth persevering with.
August 14, 2021
A light hearted but often true to life account of the life of a junior diplomat in the third world.
July 30, 2008
This is about a brand new diplomat undertaking his first posting in a country a lot like south africa. Some names have been changed to protect identities....
No don't worry folks it's fiction, and it's a wry look at how the best intentions don't get you very far, and luck not much further. Patricks induction into the corruption and misperceptions surrounding foreign postings is swift and merciless, but really quite funny. You always know that it's not going to end well, but then there's a sharp stab of emotion near the end that you just don't expect - and it makes the whole thing that little bit richer.
Still, I wouldn't bother reading it again.
No don't worry folks it's fiction, and it's a wry look at how the best intentions don't get you very far, and luck not much further. Patricks induction into the corruption and misperceptions surrounding foreign postings is swift and merciless, but really quite funny. You always know that it's not going to end well, but then there's a sharp stab of emotion near the end that you just don't expect - and it makes the whole thing that little bit richer.
Still, I wouldn't bother reading it again.
April 6, 2013
A really enjoyable read - made me want to work in the foreign office, though that probably wasn't the intention
Will definitely check out the author's other books - superb witty writing style.
Will definitely check out the author's other books - superb witty writing style.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews