Description
This leading general history of British imperialism, from its Victorian heyday to present times, has been thoroughly revised and updated. As well as presenting a lively narrative of events, Bernard Porter explores a number of broad analytical themes, challenging more conventional and popular interpretations. He sees imperialism as a symptom not of Britain's strength in the world, but of her decline; and he argues that the empire itself both aggravated and obscured deep-seated malaise in the British economy. A refreshing look at one of the central aspects of British history.
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Porter (history emeritus, U. of Newcastle) examines the British empire from the time it was too new to have a name to movements against colonial authority which led to independence and sovereignty for the vast majority of states once under British control. He describes the shifts in markets, cultural expectations, and competition for political prestige that led to empire-building and maintenance. He describes events and policies in the sub-continent, in Africa, and the Middle East, and is careful to include the issues of empire from the perspectives of those who created it and those who endured it, including photographs and prints of life on both sides of the equation. He adds a new chapter in this new edition that describes British imperialism in the first years of this new century. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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