‘Empire: How Britain Made the Modern World’ by Niall Ferguson

Empire: How Britain Made the Modern World

For years the imperial red of the British was splattered over vast areas of the world, including America, Asia and Africa. But how did a tiny island manage to take on almost the entire planet?

I bought both the hardback and audio versions of this fabulous book so I’d have the ease of listening as well as the pleasure of owning what they used to call a classic ‘coffee-table’ book. Historian Niall Ferguson tells the story of Britain’s glorious, and not-so-glorious, reign as empire builder, bringer of peace and leader of the civilised world. In this fascinating reimagining of how the Brits pressed their culture, religion and ideas across the land, he explores what they did right, as well as what they did wrong. And, like all good historians, Ferguson makes no bones about the mistakes we made and the reasons why our once vast empire took a downward spiral that never regained its hold.

Captivating and thought-provoking book that will delight anyone who thinks they know the meaning of empire and imperialism.