The Cambridge Illustrated History of the British Empire (Cambridge Illustrated Histories)

P. J. Marshall (editor)

ISBN 10: 0521432111 / ISBN 13: 9780521432115

Published by Cambridge University Press January 1996, 1996

About this Item

Seller Inventory # 304012

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Cambridge Illustrated History of the ...

Publisher: Cambridge University Press January 1996

Publication Date: 1996

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Very Good

About this title

Synopsis:

For most of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the British ruled over a colossal empire that stretched from one end of the map to the other. One cannot contemplate modern history without considering the role of the British Empire. The Cambridge Illustrated History of the British Empire is an illuminating survey of the development and impact of the British Empire from the end of the American Revolution to the present day. Against a background of striking illustrations, twelve experts on imperial history survey the experience of colonialism in North America, the Caribbean, India, Africa, Australia, the Middle East, and Asia. They emphasize social and cultural history: the movement of peoples, including slavery, and of ideas, including Christianity, art, and literature; the development of trade, transport, and urban life; the impact of imperialism on food, dress, and recreation; and the emergence of new national identities. Imperialism can be a contentious issue. While not seeking to avoid controversial topics, The Cambridge Illustrated History of the British Empire is by no means a nostalgic look at a bygone era. It is a lively document chronicling an important part of our cultural history. It will be of wide interest to history enthusiasts, students, and scholars alike.

Review:

Another handsome volume from a distinguished series, the Cambridge Illustrated History of the British Empire begins its narrative after the American colonies achieved their independence and continues to the present. Spending anywhere from a few minutes to many hours with this book reminds us of how a 19th-century global superpower shaped so much of the modern world. Among its many colorful side bars are histories of Australia's convict origins, the city-state of Hong Kong, and the Suez Canal. An appropriate picture enriches the text on nearly every page.