- Hardcover: 192 pages
- Publisher: Manchester University Press; illustrated edition edition (18 Oct 1990)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0719025044
- ISBN-13: 978-0719025044
- Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,977,703 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
Product Description
This study of British imperial history has been aimed at those who are interested in exploring the underlying realities of British expansion on the world stage. This book deals specifically with sex and its effect on the Empire. The book discusses the differences between the private lives and public responsibilities of the men who ran the Empire. It examines the issues of marriage, celibacy and women, Victorian sexuality and sexual opportunity. It covers the variety of communities in the Empire - plantations, trading posts, mining compounds, convict settlements, mission stations and settler communities - and discusses sexual life in India with emphasis on promiscuity and the resulting levels of venereal disease in the Indian Army. The book also discusses the problems resulting from polygamy, the relationship between poverty and prostitution and the issue of white slavery. It examines the change in sexual attitudes during the Edwardian era and cites specific cases, tragedies and scandals, including the Silberrad case, the Crewe circular and the "Purity Campaign", resulting from sexual encounters. Finally, the author draws conclusions from the articles and essays included in the book and relates the issues of race, sex and the Empire, finally concluding that in his opinion a return to Victorian sexual values is the last thing the world needs.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Paperback
I bought this book in 2001 and when I recently dipped into it again in the course of research I decided to make my feelings heard. This book is without doubt well written and contains an abundance of well researched information but is at times overwhelming, with too many anecdotes. Also it is not the book I thought it would be, there is far too much emphasis on homosexuality, the book should have been called Homosexuality and Empire, the author does write about heterosexual cases but appears eager and relieved to jump back to the subject of homosexuality and paedophilia. He also appears to romanticize sexual encounters with childern. I would have preferred a book on this subject matter where the author was able to detach himself more from the subject in question and not appear so eager to 'out' famous figures.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The Chapter headings say it all: The British home base, Empire and sexual opportunity, Prostitution and Purity, Chastity and the Colonial Service, Misionary confrontations etc. This is a fascinating look at the standards of sexual morality prevailing during the building of Empire around the world. I found Hyam's account of the development of the late-Victorian Purity Movement and its effect on middle class values of particular interest because its repressive effect was far-reaching into the twentieth century. The book is well researched, entertaining and possibly, at times, slightly unbalanced - but certainly thought-provoking as a consequence.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
1 review
3 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Well-written, no punches pulled
11 Mar 2001
Format:Paperback
Hyam walks a thin line in this book, that between the Scylla of condoning or trivializing concubinage and the Charybdis of its single-minded condemnation. He begins with non-technical coverage of the psychology of sexuality, and proceeds to contrast official attitudes and the Purity Campaign with imperial scandal and many highlights from individuals important in the history of British Empire. He is convincing in his central thesis on the origins of these conflicts. This book focuses mainly on India, and deals particularly with how British sexual attitudes influenced race relations.
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