Much needed critical approach to history

Everyone’s view will be different, but this provides valuable evidence that rarely appears in modern debate. The public “woke” view often has little research. It doesn’t paint a totally perfect picture of the empire, but it’s more rounded than most.

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4 people found this helpful

Good read for history

Loved the historical aspect, wasn’t a massive fan of the accents during quotes though, but that’s just me

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Inspirational

Many inspirational stories from History that illustrate very well how human commitment to do good and the complexity often encountered can combine to produce a wide variety of outcomes

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The good and bad of historical realpolitik

If you were to be colonised, occupied or otherwise ruled over by an imperial power, you’d be better off with the British than anyone else is the message. The British Empire is presented as being the lighter hand of what was on offer at this time in history. I enjoyed it and recommend it. If you’re of the absolutist liberal, all things from the past must be judged by todays standards persuasion, you’d be better off sticking with your virtuous echo chamber, this book will enrage your delicate sensibilities.

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1 person found this helpful

Disagree a lot, but still of interest

This is clearly meant to be a controversial book. It is selective, narrow in scope and biased in the extreme. However, there is still a lot of interest in the romanticised view of some of the empires key protagonists. I am a Liberal and socialist, I am also British and in the military. I agree with the author the the British Empire was a force for good generally and although I don't share his rose tinted glasses I do find it fascinating and still relevant.

It is easy to view the actions of the past through today's norms and acceptance. The empire was in many regards the lesser evil of European colonial masters. The British empire was aggressive and arrogant yes. But if it wasn't it would not have been so successful. Very much 'what did the Romans ever do for us?' territory.

The author includes interesting details about the lives of individuals he clearly likes and enjoys. So do I. For this reason the book has good value. However, when he ventures into shouting down the modern UK welfare state and descends into Liberal bashing I tended to laugh out loud. Coming from the US, where equality and social welfare is a sad joke, he should avoid demeaning European social standards. They are a subject he clearly knows nothing about.

Entertaining? Yes. But the author would do better to emit his own political bias to ensure future books focus on the subject. The subject is fascinating and offers boundless material. If I want neo-con nonsense I'll laugh at Fox news instead.

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Brilliant

Brilliantly written and read, I have gained so much knowledge from this book it should be on the school curriculum

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Very refreshing account

It is truly refreshing to hear an account of British imperial history that isn't just a masturbatory exercise of anti-western, anti-european, self-hating propaganda. Contemporary education does not allow for any of the insights this book offers, so much so that it can be difficult for anyone not interested in history to properly absorb the valuable knowledge written here. A crucial for anyone seeking to de-indoctrinate themselves from the cultural self-hatred we are taught today. Would absolutely recommend.

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Heroic

Well researched, well written and read with appropriate panache as befits a subject of such magnitude, complexity and significance. The author , though far from being uncritical , asserts the many benefits brought by Pax Britannica. Commerce , profit and self preservation were not the whole story, and in the main the Empire's reliance on fair dealing and good governance with a light touch is amply dealt with. It is a view of the British Empire that needed to be told.

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12 people found this helpful

Informative. Eye opening.

I found this book to be a great insight about a time the British are now made to feel ashamed about. Highly informative & well researched with only a few pieces of creative influence from the author. I fact checked around a dozen references and all appeared to be correct.

Brilliant listen if history is your thing. If not, still worth a try. I will be purchasing the next one in the series.

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9 people found this helpful

Honest assessment of misrepresented history

It is refreshing to read (or listen in my case) to a factual account of events without the interference of political opinion or views of today superimposed on events of yesterday.

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