Empires in the Sun by Lawrence James
Between 1830 and 1945, Britain, France, Belgium, Germany, Portugal, Italy and the United States exported their languages, laws, culture, religions, scientific and technical knowledge and economic systems to Africa. The colonial powers imposed administrations designed to bring stability and peace to a continent that appeared to lack both. The justification for occupation was emancipation from slavery--and the common assumption that late nineteenth-century Europe was the summit of civilization By 1945 a transformed continent was preparing to take charge of its own affairs, a process of decolonization that took a quick twenty years. This magnificent history also pauses to ask: what did not happen and why?
James' thorough, country-by-country examination provides a fresh and comprehensive understanding of how modern Africa was formed-- Booklist
This is history written in the grand narrative style. James takes on a massive subject and addresses it in sweeping, muscular prose. -- Kirkus Reviews
James's book covers a vast amount of territory. This is a solid work with little in the way of fluff. -- Publishers Weekly
James succeeds in concisely telling this history up until the end of apartheid and the fall of the Soviet Union. For all readers interested in a better understanding of modern Africa. -- Library Journal
A superbly written history of the entire rise and fall of the European colonial empires on the Dark Continent, and a very well-illustrated one as well. It comes at an opportune time. A fine volume. Highly recommended. -- The Military Advisor
A panoramic survey of imperial and then neo-colonial subjugation of the African continent between 1830 and 1990. A timely reminder of the devastating consequences of chauvinistic nationalism and expansionism. Remarkable. -- The Spectator
A brisk, well-written and jaunty account of European empire-building in Africa. A timely reminder of the complexity of international politics, and the nuanced balance of forces that have shaped our modern world. -- The Times (UK)
This is history written in the grand narrative style. James takes on a massive subject and addresses it in sweeping, muscular prose. -- Kirkus Reviews
James's book covers a vast amount of territory. This is a solid work with little in the way of fluff. -- Publishers Weekly
James succeeds in concisely telling this history up until the end of apartheid and the fall of the Soviet Union. For all readers interested in a better understanding of modern Africa. -- Library Journal
A superbly written history of the entire rise and fall of the European colonial empires on the Dark Continent, and a very well-illustrated one as well. It comes at an opportune time. A fine volume. Highly recommended. -- The Military Advisor
A panoramic survey of imperial and then neo-colonial subjugation of the African continent between 1830 and 1990. A timely reminder of the devastating consequences of chauvinistic nationalism and expansionism. Remarkable. -- The Spectator
A brisk, well-written and jaunty account of European empire-building in Africa. A timely reminder of the complexity of international politics, and the nuanced balance of forces that have shaped our modern world. -- The Times (UK)
Lawrence James was a founding member of the University of York and then took a research degree at Merton College, Oxford. After a distinguished teaching career he became a full-time writer in 1985 and has emerged as one of the outstanding narrative historians on the subject of empire, including The Rise and Fall of the British Empire and Churchill and Empire: Portrait of an Imperialist. He lives in England.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9781681774633 |
| ISBN 10 | 1681774631 |
| Title | Empires in the Sun |
| Author | Lawrence James |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | Pegasus Books |
| Year published | 2017-09-05 |
| Number of pages | 416 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |