Bernard Porter ç 1 CHARACTERS
'As for Dr Porter's study, this reviewer found it one of the most
captivating pieces he had read for a long time: his book abounds in wit, is
studded with brief but telling phrases, and reveals an unerring eye for the
relevant fact and apposite quotation'.
Paul Kennedy, The Historical Journal
'An extremely well-written, cleverly constructed book'
Andrew Porter, Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History
'The book is still the best short study of its subject...Some will
doubtless treat it as a textbook: and it is indeed full of accurate
information, telling phrases and aptly-deployed quotations, all presented
in a very lively and readable manner. In fact, it is a clear, coherent and
well substantiated interpretation...'
Iain R. Smith Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History
'A most valuable key to modern British colonial history. From this gripping
and lucid exposition, we may gather an understanding not only of the
initial intricacies of colonial problems...but of their alarming legacies.'
Gerard Douds, History Today
This lively, original and authoritative history of British imperialism from
its Victorian heyday to present times has been a favourite for some years.
For this 4th edition it has been thoroughly revised and updated, with a new
and expansive introduction exploring the problems and historiography of
'imperialism' generally, and an additional final chapter taking the story
through to the ¿new imperialism¿ of the early 21st century. Other new
features are a chronology of events, an updatedbibliography, and a section
of plates illustrating various aspects of empire and imperialism.
Bernard Porter is Emeritus Professor of History, University of Newcastle.
He has published extensively in the areas of British imperial, foreign and
security service history, including The Absent Minded Imperialists:
Empire,Culture and Society (2004).
The Lions Share: British Imperialism 1688-2000I'd say 3.5 stars, maybe 3.75. It's not as good for a general audience as I had hoped. It's thematic content assumes too much knowledge of the reader-- which is good as a review of major themes of British Empire, but not terribly useful for someone just becoming interested in British Empire and hoping to get a firm footing. We'll see what my students make of this tonight. History Really good book on British Imperialism, it is very well written and easy to read. Uses a number of primary and secondary resources, with many quotations from important figures during the height of british imperialism (1901). there was a good use of maps which i find useful, and finally a good use of figures and stats to support Bernard Porters point. My only real criticism will be that Porter does expect the reader to know, or have some general knowledge of british imperialism which does help as porter goes deep into different places around the empire which some readers may start confusing. Overall it is a great book and should be read to seal any doubts of what imperialism is and what it stood for. History As the author of this book openly admits in the preface of having crafted a biased book, there seems to be nothing more to offer. Oh, wait there is! This book expertly glosses over a cultural, economic, and human genocide, by throwing ambivalent stances and weirdly crafted subjective opinions, which are mostly laughable. For example, it even suggests how several cultures reacted against the British dominance because they were not modern enough to accept the lofty ideas of industrialisation and progress offered by the British. This book is garnished by historical truths, indeed, but ends up chocking the subaltern reader, while some could find this wholesome. History A phenomenal anthology of the epitome and collapse of the British Empire through it's transition into the European Community. It provides great details of the development of the various dominions and overseas territories. History An eye-opening look at the British Empire and how it was not as mighty as it seemed. The British Empire is a good example that the farther away that one is from it, meaning the more time that has passed, the more one's perception of that thing (here, the Empire) will depend on other people telling you what to think. Here, in other books, the British Empire is often described as a mighty empire, beloved by its subject but what we learn here is that it's hold on its subject was a lot more tenuous than was previously known. Great book! History
Pleasant narrative to the history of the British Empire, could have been more critical at parts but considerably better than most British historian accounts of Empire - a refreshing alternative to the apologist agendas of most of the British historiography around Empire. History