Episode 27.2 - The Rise and Fall of the British Empire by Lawrence James

This week we’re discussing Parts 3 and 4 from the Rise and Fall of the British Empire by Lawrence James.

Parts 3 and 4 take us from the emerging dominance of British imperialism after the defeat of Napoleon in 1815 to its inevitable sunset at the end of World War II. The extent of the British Empire and its importance, for good or ill, is truly felt in James’ account. From the imperial cooperation of the two world wars to the postage stamps decorated with oddities at the far reaches of the Empire, James impresses upon us how the changing attitudes of all people inside the Empire understood the project - as a contradictory patchwork of progress, domination, prestige, and paternalism. Furthermore, James exposes the reader to the British Empire as a political entity, a living organism of indirect and directly ruled states and dominions full of a diverse range of peoples with political aspirations within and outside of the Empire, rather than simply an inflexible iron fist (although there was plenty of that).

From the back of the book:



“Lawrence James studied history and English at York University and subsequently took a research degree at Merton College, Oxford. Following a career as a teacher, he became a full-time writer in 1985. He is the author of seven critically acclaimed works of nonfiction. He lives in St. Andrews, Scotland, with his wife, who is the headmistress of St. Leonard’s School, and his two sons.”