In Captives: Britain, Empire, and the World, 1600-1850, Linda Colley exposes a perspective of the Imperial Britain that goes against traditional history. Although Britain experienced expansion at an unprecedented rate during the late 1600s until the mid-1800s, it had spread itself too thin across the globe. The British navy, its manpower, was unable to effectively control the vast number of territories claimed by the Britain. The money and physical presence was never fully effective at dominating the areas. Instead, these territories often influenced their colonist and government more than traditional historians care to admit.
In Captives, Colley divides her work into three parts. The first concentrates on Britain in the Mediterranean, a costly venture seldom mentioned in British Imperialism. The second third focuses on the relationship between the British and natives in North America and how the fear of captivity influenced those that colonized America for Britain. And India, the country whose rough relationship with Britain both made and destroyed careers.
While the history of African slavery in the West is immense, accounts of British slavery in the Eastern Hemisphere was seldom recorded and receives less research from both older and newer historians. Colley hides no biases as she uncovers a history that she argues is neglected. A history that exposes a dirty secret of the British Empire: that there is an imbalance in the records that exist between the West and the East. Colley suggests that the research is stifled largely because that during this time, it was legal for the English navy, therefore the English government, to enslave their own soldiers who forfeited military service. Slavery was an alternative to execution. Often, they were chained and forced to build fortification and treated like black-skinned folk.
In the Americas, traditional British history of the indigenous population is kept out of the records just as much as in American history. Initially, colonist were highly dependent on local natives, this faded as time brought advanced, steady agriculture and living conditions for the colonists. Oddly, Colley shows how the records reveal English thinking toward the natives as equal to European and not as soulless savages. It was a result of wartime on the North American continent that resulted in captives being taken by the natives, which led to a mingling between the two races. Threatened, the British government forbade their colonist for interacting and living too closely to the indigenous, for it threatened British control.
The super soldier of India, Sarah Shade, spun a new perspective on British Imperialism in 1750. Disguised as a soldier, her adventures and exotic writings sparked an appetite for all things India throughout England. By 1800, India had become the richest sector in the British Empire, having lost the American colonies several decades earlier. Out numbered in India and often out fought, Britain was able to achieve, through direct and indirect rule, power over all of India. Enabling Britain to become both the wealthiest country and free from the fear of captivity, which Colley argues was both real and an allusion.
Well-written and highly entertaining, Captivity sheds new light on a force of nature that changed the world. Using autobiographies, adventure stories, sermons, written accounts of public speeches, and the like, Colley brings to life the fragile truth of British colonization: that Britain was never in full control of her the vast lands she acquired. Its 438 pages captures the big picture of Britain’s expansion throughout the world as well personalizing the journeys of those who lived and died in strange new worlds.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. Learn more
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle Cloud Reader.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Flip to back Flip to front
Follow the Author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
Discover delightful children's books with Amazon Book Box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months — new Amazon Book Box Prime customers receive 15% off your first box. Sign up now
Frequently bought together
- +
- +
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Products related to this item
Page 1 of 1Start overPage 1 of 1
Videos
Customer reviews
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2014
Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2007
Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2012
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2012
Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2014
Top reviews from other countries
Bill
Her writing style is wonderful and makes the read a really fluid experience
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 31, 2016jvm
Recommended by Christopher Hitchens, need I say more?
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 30, 2017Richard
It's just excellent and lucid and apposite in style
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 3, 2017Plod
The book is in very good condition as described and so very pleased
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 25, 2015W. Duddy
Brilliant insight from another angle
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 4, 2014
