This book is fantastic. The audiobook is top-notch. It offers a captivating overview of British imperial history, with a focus on in-depth narratives rather than oversimplifications. It's genuinely captivating.
So, it seems like I can't just give a star rating without having to write a minimum of 15 words, which is kind of strange. But hey, thanks for making me do that, I guess.
This audiobook takes us on a journey through Britain and its growing empire during the Industrial Revolution. It provides a top-notch experience that perfectly showcases the origins of our modern world. Many thanks for this fantastic ride!
I'm a big fan of Niall Ferguson and I've purchased several of his books. However, I find the title of this book to be quite unfortunate. If Ferguson had chosen a title like "The Influence of British Capitalism, Entrepreneurship, and Industrial Innovations on the Modern World," it would have been much more intriguing and easier to support his ideas with concrete facts.
The British population is a diverse mix of individuals, including capitalists, socialists, royalists, ordinary folks, urban dwellers, rural residents, highly educated individuals, geniuses, poets, writers, and even some shady politicians. In essence, they are like any other nation.
If we remove the contributions of capitalists, entrepreneurs, and industrial innovations, Britain would essentially be similar to Ireland and have minimal impact on the world. The truly influential British figures are actually a specific subset of individuals. People like Adam Smith, James Watt, Hiram Maxim, and Thomas Newcomen played a significant role in making Britain great. While they may share a heritage with other Brits, it seems illogical to group them together with the rest when these individuals were truly exceptional in their own right.
In my opinion, this is Ferguson's weakest book by far. If we were to follow his line of reasoning, the Germans could also make a claim on the modern world. After all, they invented communism, perfected state socialism, developed critical technologies, contributed to destructive philosophies (like communism, socialism, deconstruction, and Kant), and came close to conquering the world militarily. Additionally, the British golden age came to an end with the rise of a German dynasty ruling over Britain.
Let's not forget that the United States also holds a significant stake in shaping the modern world, along with the French who also have a noteworthy influence.
This book is truly outstanding and offers a comprehensive exploration of the British Empire's influence. It's definitely a must-listen for history and economics enthusiasts.
Being a proud Canadian with a connection to the British Empire, I found Ferguson's captivating account of Britain and its colonies in "Empire: How Britain Made the Modern World" truly enjoyable. The author's writing style is both eloquent and expressive, making it easy to dive into the historical overview. Ferguson organizes the narrative around the different colonies, and I was particularly fascinated by the chapters on India. He doesn't shy away from discussing both the Empire's mistakes and the flaws of the indigenous people, providing a balanced perspective. The sections on Africa, covering the Victorian missionary movement and its aftermath, were also engaging. Lastly, Ferguson's reflections on America as a Silent Empire are thought-provoking and worth pondering. Overall, this audiobook is a fantastic choice for anyone interested in this topic.
This book offers a truly eye-opening perspective on the British empire. It is written in a way that even those who are not history buffs can easily grasp and thoroughly enjoy.
I gained a lot of knowledge from this book, although I found myself frequently disagreeing with the author's criticism of British culture. Yes, I am well aware of the atrocities of slavery, having attended a public school, so I didn't need the book to excessively dwell on it. The comments about the British having a fondness for sweets and using it as an explanation for their global domination seemed a bit simplistic and lacking depth. Instead, why not appreciate the remarkable achievements of a culture that pioneered global navigation by sea? They were the most advanced civilization of their time, so let's move on from constantly dwelling on the negative aspects.
I'm generally a fan of Niall Ferguson, but in this book, I noticed a clear bias that downplays the negative aspects of English colonial rule while emphasizing their overall achievements. It's undeniable that the impact of the British Empire is on par with that of the Romans, but we shouldn't overlook the negative consequences it had on society. If the Mughal Empire had invaded England during the War of the Roses in the mid-1400s, we would have a completely different narrative. The British Empire undoubtedly had a significant influence on shaping the world before the war, but whether it was for better or worse is debatable. I found this book entertaining, but the bias was more pronounced compared to Niall's other works. Simply saying the British "weren't that bad" in comparison to the Nazis and imperial Japanese doesn't justify their actions in the Boer Wars or Africa as a whole. Approach this book with some caution.
This audiobook doesn't try to glorify or make excuses for the British Empire. Instead, it presents the facts and allows the reader or listener to form their own opinion. What I found most valuable was that it answered the question of how a relatively small country like England managed to govern such a large portion of the world and spread its culture so widely. The book kept me engaged throughout, thanks to its inclusion of lesser-known stories and narratives that added depth to the major historical events being discussed. I would definitely recommend this to any history enthusiasts out there. (Reviewed by the author of "Renee: St. Mary's Virus")
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