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George Bush's 'War on Terror' has inspired a forest of books about the new American Empire. But what about Britain's role in the world? "A People's History of the British Empire" challenges the claim that the British Empire was a kinder, gentler empire and suggests that the description of 'Rogue State' is more fitting. How many people today know about Britain's deep involvement in the opium drug trade in China, or that Tony Blair's hero Gladstone devoted his maiden parliamentary speech to defending his family's slave plantation in Jamaica? John Newsinger has written a wonderful popular history of key episodes in British imperial history. He pays particular attention to the battles of the colonised to free themselves of its baleful rule, including Rebellion in Jamaica; The Irish Famine; The Opium Wars; The Great Indian Rebellion; The Conquest of Egypt; Palestine in Revolt; 'Quit India' and the struggle for Independence; Suez; Malaya; Kenya and Rhodesia; and, Britain and American Imperialism.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By M. A. Krul
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The "People's History" series has a well-deserved reputation, even if it is not a coordinated undertaking by any particular publisher. This book does not diminish that reputation. "The Blood Never Dried" is a people's history of the British Empire, and as such is an overdue critical, systematic examination of the litany of crimes, murders, and exploitations of all parts of the world undertaken under the banner of the Union Jack. At the risk of repeating other reviewers, the book examines in order: (1) Jamaica and slavery, (2) the Irish famine, (3) the Opium Wars and Taiping Rebellion (though not the Boxers), (4) the Sepoy Rebellion, (5) the colonization of Egypt, (6) WWI, (7) the settling and revolt of interwar Palestine, (8) Indian independence, (9) the Suez Crisis, (10) the Mau-Mau Rebellion, (11) the suppression of the revolt in Malaya, and (12) Britains relationship with American imperialism. In all of these cases, the author John Newsinger portrays without bloodlust but with great gravity and seriousness the enormities and crimes committed by and through imperialism, from widespread famines to systematic torture, murder, and repression. As Newsinger makes clear by this comparative process, there is no imperialism, whether 19th or 21st century, that can do without these elements: it was ever thus.
In each case too the author makes clear how the peoples of the colonized and imperialized countries rebelled against and resisted imperialism.... Read more ›
In each case too the author makes clear how the peoples of the colonized and imperialized countries rebelled against and resisted imperialism.... Read more ›
32 of 43 people found the following review helpful
By Neil Foxlee
Format:Paperback
A richly deserved counter-blast to Niall Ferguson's Empire: How Britain Made the Modern World, which disgracefully glossed over the many crimes against humanity committed in the name of British imperial power. The fact that Newsinger's book received so little attention when it came out speaks volumes. For another study in the same vein that focuses on the 20th century up to the present, see Mark Curtis's Web of Deceit: Britain's Real Role in the World. You will see Britain and the world rather differently if you read these books.
34 of 46 people found the following review helpful
By S Wood
Format:Paperback
John Newsingers "The Blood Never Dried" might be subtitled as a "Peoples History of the British Empire" but it is nothing of the sort. What the reader will instead find is a fine piece of writing that rather than providing a linear history of the Empire, examines a number of historical episodes that starkly illuminate what under girded the Empires existence: brutality and violence.
The selection is from what is known as the second British Empire, that which existed after the loss of the American colonies during the late eighteenth century. The episodes examined are (1) Jamaica and Slavery, (2) The Irish Famine, (3) The Opium Wars in China, (4) The 1857-58 Rebellion (Mutiny) in India, (5) The Invasion of Egypt in 1882, (6) The Imperial Crisis subsequent to WW1, (7) The Palestine Revolt of the late 1930's, (8) The campaign for Indian Independence, (9) The Suez War, (10) Kenya and the Mau-Mau Insurrection, (11) Malaya's "Emergency", and (12) Britains relationship with American Imperialism.
Each chapter focussing on one of the subjects (as listed above) and also put the events described into a broader historical context, including many quotes from contemporary participants and observers. It also reminds the reader that what a vicious racist Churchill could be, not least in relation to Iraq (where he spoke up for gassing recalcitrant tribes) and India (where even his viceroy in India was appalled at his callous response to the Bengal Famine that cost millions of Indian lives). Those who have fond memories of Old Labour will be disturbed to discover that one area of continuity between New and Old is foreign policy. Ernest Bevin, Herbert Morrison and even Clement Atlee were quite as capable of carrying out brutal imperial policies as their Conservative opponents.... Read more ›
The selection is from what is known as the second British Empire, that which existed after the loss of the American colonies during the late eighteenth century. The episodes examined are (1) Jamaica and Slavery, (2) The Irish Famine, (3) The Opium Wars in China, (4) The 1857-58 Rebellion (Mutiny) in India, (5) The Invasion of Egypt in 1882, (6) The Imperial Crisis subsequent to WW1, (7) The Palestine Revolt of the late 1930's, (8) The campaign for Indian Independence, (9) The Suez War, (10) Kenya and the Mau-Mau Insurrection, (11) Malaya's "Emergency", and (12) Britains relationship with American Imperialism.
Each chapter focussing on one of the subjects (as listed above) and also put the events described into a broader historical context, including many quotes from contemporary participants and observers. It also reminds the reader that what a vicious racist Churchill could be, not least in relation to Iraq (where he spoke up for gassing recalcitrant tribes) and India (where even his viceroy in India was appalled at his callous response to the Bengal Famine that cost millions of Indian lives). Those who have fond memories of Old Labour will be disturbed to discover that one area of continuity between New and Old is foreign policy. Ernest Bevin, Herbert Morrison and even Clement Atlee were quite as capable of carrying out brutal imperial policies as their Conservative opponents.... Read more ›
5 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent antidote to the recent attempt to revive the respectability of British imperialism.
25 July 2012
By Germinal
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Other reviewers have laid out the great strengths of this book, so I won't dwell too long on them. The number one strength is the breadth of topics and geographical spread, the relatively short chapters, each one an essay covering the conflict between those who were colonised and their British imperial oppressors.
Each of these chapters/essays is well buttressed by the breadth and depth of research that Newsinger has put into them and the notes and bibliography are a rich source of follow up reading for anyone wishing to go into more depth on particular issues. I've read quite a few books simply on the basis of them being referenced in this one, so it's not just an antidote to obscene attempts to resurrect imperial respectability but a great introduction to a variety of topics and a rich source of further reading.
It's a book that should be in every socialist's collection.
Each of these chapters/essays is well buttressed by the breadth and depth of research that Newsinger has put into them and the notes and bibliography are a rich source of follow up reading for anyone wishing to go into more depth on particular issues. I've read quite a few books simply on the basis of them being referenced in this one, so it's not just an antidote to obscene attempts to resurrect imperial respectability but a great introduction to a variety of topics and a rich source of further reading.
It's a book that should be in every socialist's collection.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This fascinating account of some - though by no means all - of the British Empire's most unsavoury episodes makes for essential reading for anyone seeking to obtain a comprehensive overview of the nature of empire, and the mechanisms upon which it depends. Drawing from events in India, Kenya, Iran, Egypt, China and various other regions, Newsinger's detailed, fact-based approach serves to distinguish itself from other, more theoretical or polemical works. Newsinger definitely has a viewpoint, but it's a viewpoint based on historical events and details that those in power would most likely prefer to forget. Readers should be aware that this is not a complete history of the British Empire, but rather a series of illuminating case studies (derived from a broad spread of periods) that serve as a reminder to all of us of the crimes and suffering that imperialism necessarily inflicts. A powerful, and timely, work.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The history they don't teach.
This book reveals the country's imperial past, officially depicted as a benign and burdensome necessity of civilising primitive peoples, for the Gestapo-like barbarity it really... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Judith D. Wilde
5.0 out of 5 stars
The British Empire: What really happened.
It is a common argument that the rise and fall of the British Empire over three hundred years was beneficial to its colonial subjects. Read more
Published 17 months ago by james gardiner
3.0 out of 5 stars
FAIRLY GOOD READ
A well written book for those who wish to know a little about a lot and a lot about nothing from a far left point of view. Read more
Published on 21 Jan 2011 by James
5.0 out of 5 stars
Essential Reading
It must be all but impossible to write a truly meaningful people's history of Britain. 'Blood Never Dried' is a wonderful title for a wonderful book that really should be essential... Read more
Published on 14 April 2009 by John D. Andrews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Useful outline history of the British Empire
The author of this useful outline of the British Empire is a history lecturer at Bath Spa University College. Read more
Published on 15 Dec 2006 by William Podmore
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