Britain's Imperial Century, 1815-1914: A Study of Empire and Expansion (Cambridge Commonwealth)

This is the undisputed best introduction to the history of the world-wide pattern of British activity in the nineteenth century, embracing its expansive spirit as well as its formal territorial empire. The dynamics of this extraordinary enterprise are considered broadly: the high-political concerns of strategy and international geopolitics are analyzed, as well as the economic dimension, missionary activity, and racial attitudes, together with a wide range of cultural aspects, including sport and the pursuit of sexual opportunity. Nor is the personal contribution of some of the leading Victorian figures neglected. Paul Kennedy - Historical Studies Hyam has written much more than a textbook of empire....The freshness which distinguishes, to a high degree, the first part of the book shows why he is the most interesting and provocative scholar writing on the empire from the centre....It is impeccable scholarship which draws from intellectual daring and original thinking. Front Matter....Pages i-xviii The Foundations of Power, 1815–1870....Pages 1-73 The Motives and Methods of Expansion, 1815–1865....Pages 74-133 The Decline of British Pre-eminence, 1855–1900....Pages 134-202 The Search for Stability, 1880–1914....Pages 203-279 The Dynamics of Empire and Expansion....Pages 280-337 Back Matter....Pages 338-377 The Idea Of An Aryan Race Became An Important Feature Of Imperial Culture In The 19th Century, Feeding Into Debates In Britain, Ireland, India, And The Pacific. This Study Traces The Emergence And Dissemination Of Aryanism Within The British Empire. When you come to think of it, there was no such thing as Greater Britain, still less a British empire - India perhaps apart.