The Illustrated Rise & Fall of the British Empire

Spanning four centuries and six continents, James' masterpiece The Rise and Fall of the British Empire (first published in 1994) examined the imperial experience and its legacy with tremendous verve and perception. His original work has now been abridged and illustrated with meticulously researched photographs, paintings and ephemera to create a comprehensive and visually stunning summary of the era.

Great Britain's geopolitical role in the global scheme of things has undergone many radical changes over the last four centuries. Once a maritime superpower and ruler of half the world, Britain's current position as an isolated, economically fragile island squabbling with her European neighbours often seems difficult to accept, if not comprehend. Although still afforded nominal status through membership of groups such as G7 and the retention of a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, the simple truth is that Britain has been resting on her laurels since 1945, if not before.

The British empire is both cause and effect of this spectacular transformation. At first an exercise in straightforward profit-making, foreign exploration and colonisation by British settlers, traders and entrepreneurs soon gave rise to serious moral misgivings about the exploitation of native peoples and resources. But the riches to be gained from empire-building were always a powerful argument in its favour, although changes in the domestic, social and political climate made benevolent imperalism a more desirable objective. The lure of profit was tempered by an urge to uplift and civilise.

Hardback with dustcover. Halftitle.Colour Frontispiece. Title. Dedication. Contents. Introduction. 352 pages text with maps,images, photographs, data and information.

Fine.