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Review
'A masterpiece' A N Wilson '...with this superb history of a mammoth subject his writing career has reached its apogee.' Andrew Roberts, THE TIMES 'James never loses sight of his grand design, yet he still finds room for the telling detail which illuminates and enriches a narrative" Philip Ziegler, THE DAILY TELEGRAPH 'A stimulating book... intelligent and making no concessions to current cliche.' IRISH TIMES 'With dispassion and erudition James restores it to us mixing a pacy, lucid narrative with enlivening detail taken from political, cultural and populist sources.' EVENING STANDARD 'A pleasure to read.' SUNDAY TIMES 'The structure of the book [is] exemplary and the story unfold with magnificent force.' DAILY TELEGRAPH 'What James is bests at is providing a narrative sweep of history. He has a remarkable ability to encompass a huge range of factual material. His account of the lead-up to the First World War, its aftermath, and the complexity of the colonial response to the rise of Nazism is fascinating.' INDEPENDENT 'Lawrence James has written what I have long wanted: a readable, intelligent history of the British Empire in one volume.' SPECTATOR (BOOKS OF THE YEAR) 'A thumping good read.' SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY
Andrew Roberts, THE TIMES
'...with this superb history of a mammoth subject his writing career has reached its apogee.'
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
98 of 100 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
James' reading of History and English shows throughout this book. He has chronologically portrayed the rise and fall of the British Empire with snippets of poems and literature - relevant to the time. The book gives the ignorant a good introduction to the empire and the underlying reasons for it's creation and fall. James never leaves the 'beaten track' in this narrative, but provides almost infinite ideas for further reading within this vast subject. Excellent!!!!
37 of 39 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The British Empire is a vast and complex historical subject. However, Lawrence James manages easily to detail its growth and decline in a manner that is not only highly informative, but thourghly enjoyable to read. His writing style is laid back and the sheer volume of historical detail he packs into every chapter is breathtaking. His selective use of seemingly insignificant anecdotes draws the reader into the book, even provoking the occasional snigger (something not always associated with history!). "The Rise and Fall of the British Empire" is a fantastic study that anybody with even a fleeting interest in Britain's Imperial history and legacy should read.
96 of 103 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
In these post imperial days it seems that we are too guilt ridden to view the history of the British Empire in context. Mr. James sets out to bring us the history of the empire in terms which though perhaps not totally impartial (he appears to believe on balance it was a good thing)are not jaundiced by dogma.
The British were never completely comfortable with the concept of empire. Driven by the two goals of trade and settlement, the British Empire almost came about by accident. Mr. James is excellent at showing how British attitudes towards empire changed throughout the imperial period. Starting from almost indifference at the beginning, to national obession by the end of the 19th century. The story of the British Empire is one which has touched the lives of almost a 1/4 of the worlds population. Mr. James makes the point that the empire might have died, but that it's influence will linger for a long while yet. A worthwhile read
The British were never completely comfortable with the concept of empire. Driven by the two goals of trade and settlement, the British Empire almost came about by accident. Mr. James is excellent at showing how British attitudes towards empire changed throughout the imperial period. Starting from almost indifference at the beginning, to national obession by the end of the 19th century. The story of the British Empire is one which has touched the lives of almost a 1/4 of the worlds population. Mr. James makes the point that the empire might have died, but that it's influence will linger for a long while yet. A worthwhile read
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Not bad
One ripped page and the book was dented. Came in 5 days so standard delivery. Overall pleased with this product
Published 7 months ago by Steven
Good but blinkered
This is a very well written and detailed account of the empire. The writer keeps you interested and covers most of the main events very well. Read more
Published on 22 April 2006 by Book Reviewer 76
not much of a navel gaze
Anyone looking for some deep understanding of the 'fall' of the BritishEmpire will be disappointed. Some introspective view would have been anice addition. Read more
Published on 25 April 2004
not much of a navel gaze
Anyone looking for some deep understanding of the 'fall' of the BritishEmpire will be disappointed. Some introspective view would have been anice addition. Read more
Published on 25 April 2004
Serious scholarship brought to life
I was lucky enough to be taught by Mr James, a wit and gentlemen of a rare order. It was a real treat reading this survey of the British Empire. Read more
Published on 17 Mar 2002 by Neil Ford
Wonderful read that leaves the reader gasping for more
The Rise and Fall of the British Empire is a majestic sweep through four hundred years of Imperial history. Read more
Published on 7 Sep 2000
Absolutely magnificent!
The history of the British Empire has always been somewhat controversial: some of it good, some of it bad. Read more
Published on 25 Jun 2000
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