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THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

In his ground-breaking new book, Sathnam Sanghera traces the legacies of British empire around the world.
‘Beautifully written, and not just a welcome corrective but a book for our times. This is essential reading’ Peter Frankopan
‘An absolute masterpiece’ James O’Brien
‘Deeply poignant . . . riveting . . . brave, painful, urgent and timely’ Jerry Brotton, Financial Times
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2.6 billion people are inhabitants of former British colonies.

The empire’s influence upon the quarter of the planet it occupied, and its gravitational influence upon the world outside it, has been profound: from the spread of Christianity by missionaries, to nearly 1 in 3 driving on the left side of the road, to the origins of international law. Yet Britain’s idea of its imperial history and the world’s experience of it are two very different things.

With an inimitable combination of wit, political insight and personal honesty, the award-winning author and journalist explores the international legacies of British empire – from the creation of tea plantations across the globe, to environmental destruction, conservation, and the imperial connotations of Royal tours.

His journey takes him from Barbados and Mauritius to India and Nigeria and beyond. In doing so, Sanghera demonstrates just how deeply British imperialism is baked into our world.

And why it’s time Britain was finally honest with itself about empire.
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‘If Britain wants to move forward as a key player on the world stage, Sanghera demonstrates, we must take time to understand our past – all warts, and all wonders, considered’ Alice Loxton, The Sunday Times
‘Engages in deep research and historical re-analysis . . . also a profoundly moving work of personal insight, intelligence and compassion’ Elizabeth Day
‘Puts Sanghera in the firmament of great imperial historians’ Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, The i

Instant Sunday Times bestseller, January 2024

Publisher Review

A remarkable and important work - one that is finely judged, beautifully written and not just a welcome corrective but a book for our times. This is essential reading. * Peter Frankopan * To read Sathnam Sanghera is to understand the world anew. Vanishingly few writers can lay claim to his breadth of talent. Not only does Empireworld engage in deep research and historical re-analysis, it is also a profoundly moving work of personal insight, nuance, intelligence and compassion, elevated on every page by the sheer quality of his writing. Empireworld is a crucial addition to our understanding of the contradictions and legacies of colonial rule but it is also a book that helps us become better humans. I am in awe of Sanghera for writing it. * Elizabeth Day * Once again, Sathnam Sanghera has advanced the civil conversation we all need to have about empire and its legacies * Jonathan Coe * This is a ground-breaking and eye-opening book, that everyone should read. Written with wit, nuance and academic rigour; it is a long overdue look at Empire and its effect on the world. * Kavita Puri * Essential and absorbing reading for those not afraid to encounter diligently researched, complex, and often contradictory truths about colonial rule and its legacies * Professor Alan Lester *