I was hoping for a little more Stephen Ambrose type read, but it is not. I guess my only complaint (which didn't distract from the book that much) is it is a book written by a Brit about the British Empire. This does a good job covering the long history of the British Empire; you'll get to find out how the Empire acquired and lost its various lands.
Some folks describe this book as "rudimentary" while others call it "comprehensive." This excellent and very accessible book provided the story
A vast subject, which is hard to cover in a single volume, so in that respect the deal has been done. But it covers a huge time period and manages to put interesting stories together for each region and period.
Lawrence James covers huge ground both historically and in terms of global reach (so it's not just about the Boston tea party, the Raj and the scramble for Africa) but a very comprehensive look at all aspects of the BE story. The 400 years covered in this course are those that literally remade the world and bequeathed a global legacy that continues to shape life today. Please try again Prime members enjoy FREE Delivery and exclusive access to music, movies, TV shows, original audio series, and Kindle books. You must, however, be prepared to turn a blind eye to obviously xenophobic comments regarding our European cousins (rather similar to reading weak articles from the Daily Telegraph) as, let's face it, there is no reason to believe that the British were really any better, more altruistic, or more honorable than any other when it came to empire-building.
Please try againSorry, we failed to record your vote. Once a maritime superpower and ruler of half the world, Britain now occupies an isolated position as an economically fragile island often at odds with her European neighbors.Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. Its over 600 pages long but is mostly easy reading which is what I wanted for an overall history of the British Empire. It originated with the overseas possessions and trading posts established by England between the late 16th and early 18th centuries.
What comes across is a clear sense of the way history has impacted world relations and the book is particularly resonant now given the whole issue of Brexit and a more nationalist leaning world. James is an excellent writer.
THE RISE AND FALL OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE covers the history of British expansion overseas from the sixteenth to the twentieth centuries.
Lawrence James It has quite a few chapters just discussing the British opinion and spirit of empire, and how it changed over time.
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom and its predecessor states. While academic in scope, the writing is not and the stories it tells could have been ripped from the headlines of the past several centuries.
Amazon calculates a product’s star ratings based on a machine learned model instead of a raw data average.
The Rise and Fall of British Naval Mastery book. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Spanning the years from 1600 to the present day, this critically acclaimed book combines detailed scholarship with readable popular history.
A supporting map and suggested student task sheet are included. The Anarchy: The East India Company, Corporate Violence, and the Pillage of an Empire Anybody lucky enough to have a chance to study the history of the world in the twentieth century may encounter it again at about the time most of Britain’s other colonies were finally obtaining their independence.
If you need a comprehensive summary of the British Empire, than this volume is a good as any, and will fill most of the gaps.