The Cambridge Illustrated History of the British Empire (Cambridge Illustrated Histories) [Paperback]

P. J. Marshall (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 10, 2001 | ISBN-10: 0521002540 | ISBN-13: 978-0521002547

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.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com 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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Although the sun has set on the British Empire, it keeps rising over its globe-spanning legacy in the former colonies' language, political boundaries, economics, and ethnic composition. Marshall has devoted his academic career to that legacy, experience that lends comfortable reliability to this history. It is divided in half: he writes a concise narrative spanning the empire's recovery from losing its American colonies, its circa 1890s apogee, through its post^-World War II dismantlement. He then turns over the reins to specialists in themes of the empire, ranging from how it was ruled, whether it degraded or enriched the places it ruled, and even the art and architecture it inspired. The latter occasions a profuse burst of the paintings and photographs with which this handsome tome is endowed throughout. Although controversial, British imperialism is less profitably written of as a good or bad thing, as Marshall often remarks, than as a muddled, occasionally positive phase of history with effects as idiosyncratic as the myriad places over which the Union Jack flew. That variety infuses this attractively styled, balanced work. Gilbert Taylor --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (September 10, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521002540
• ISBN-13: 978-0521002547
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #839,512 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A decent book with rich material and a handsome package., December 11, 2000

By 

Evren Genc (Ankara, Turkey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cambridge Illustrated History of the British Empire (Cambridge Illustrated Histories) (Hardcover)

A book titled as "British Empire" is always liable to being a discussion board of a propaganda material for imperialist vs. anti-imperialist clashes. But the best aspect of this book is that it never goes into such discussions, which can probably never be resolved anyway, and gives the views of both parties where necessary. So, I can safely say that the tone of this book is extremely close to being perfect. As for presentation; I am not very much satisfied with the organization of the material in this book. This makes it much less useful as a reference material. But this is not to say that the material in the book is not rich. I also liked the page & print & cover quality of the book. As a result, this is a quality pick for those who are really interested in the subject. Nevertheless, with its good quality and rich visual content, it can always give the taste of reading about Imperial Britain to new readers.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fascinating book, September 13, 2000

By 

S. Morris (Germantown, TN United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Cambridge Illustrated History of the British Empire (Cambridge Illustrated Histories) (Hardcover)

This book is full of rich, relevant pictures to complement the text. A good general overview of the imperial experience. It's content is as worthy as its appearance.

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Correction of yesterday's review., December 12, 2000

By 

Evren Genc (Ankara, Turkey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cambridge Illustrated History of the British Empire (Cambridge Illustrated Histories) (Hardcover)

In the review I made yesterday for this book, I now notice that I made a tying mistake. The 'of' in the first sentence should read 'or'. The correct version of the review is as follows. A book titled as "British Empire" is always liable to being a discussion board or a propaganda material for imperialist vs. anti-imperialist clashes. But the best aspect of this book is that it never goes into such discussions, which can probably never be resolved anyway, and gives the views of both parties where necessary. So, I can safely say that the tone of this book is extremely close to being perfect. As for presentation; I am not very much satisfied with the organization of the material in this book. This makes it much less useful as a reference material. But this is not to say that the material in the book is not rich. I also liked the page & print & cover quality of the book. As a result, this is a quality pick for those who are really interested in the subject. Nevertheless, with its good quality and rich visual content, it can always give the taste of reading about Imperial Britain to new readers.