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Empire
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Empire

The Rise and Demise of the British World Order and the Lessons for Global Power

Niall Ferguson
Basic Books, 2003

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Editorial Rating

9

Qualities

  • Comprehensive
  • Innovative
  • Engaging

Recommendation

First-rate historian and author Niall Ferguson offers a politically incorrect interpretation of the four-century history of the British Empire. Sure, he acknowledges that the imperialists stole, murdered and enslaved on their way to world domination. Yet, Ferguson argues, the Brits spread several traditions, including liberty, democracy and free trade, which improved the state of the world. To Ferguson’s credit, he makes no attempt to gloss over the Empire’s atrocities. In fact, with stellar prose, he takes the risk of undermining his central theme by describing the Empire’s bad behavior in great detail. His conclusions are as complex as history itself, which might prove frustrating to readers seeking simple answers. getAbstract.com strongly recommends this memoir to readers who love history, and particularly to those seeking a historical perspective on the pitfalls of imperialism.

Take-Aways

  • Britain ruled history’s most wide-reaching empire. At its peak after the First World War, the British ruled a quarter of the world’s population and land.
  • The British Empire has become synonymous with racism and profiteering.
  • Yet, Britain’s influence helped spread democracy and free trade around the globe.

About the Author

Niall Ferguson is Herzog Professor of Financial History at New York University’s Stern School of Business. He also is a senior research fellow at Jesus College, Oxford University, and a senior fellow of the Hoover Institution. His previous books include The House of Rothschild, The Pity of War, The Cash Nexus and Paper and Iron.

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