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mogreig's review against another edition
4.0
The empire the English so wish to return to is not a place to be remotely proud of. Empireland is essential reading for anyone who wants to know the realities of Britian's past.
issie_reads's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
gfrancsak77's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
bienchen18's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
boodrow's review
challenging
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Sathnam Sanghera eloquently explains how Britain’s imperial past has shaped the country today. There is sadness, rage, but also hope in his exploration - hope that we can use the lessons learned from Empire to shape a positive future.
But with that, it leaves you asking questions (questions that are addressed in the book but not fully answered): if Empire was such a formative period for this country, and if its effects have shaped modern Britain in a very tangible way, why are we not taught about it in school? If our imperial past is nothing to be ashamed of, as many so vocally insist, why do our institutions turn a blind eye to it?
The answer, of course, is that there is a lot to be ashamed of. But it’s ok to acknowledge that, and it’s certainly not unpatriotic to confront or highlight the failings of our past.
But with that, it leaves you asking questions (questions that are addressed in the book but not fully answered): if Empire was such a formative period for this country, and if its effects have shaped modern Britain in a very tangible way, why are we not taught about it in school? If our imperial past is nothing to be ashamed of, as many so vocally insist, why do our institutions turn a blind eye to it?
The answer, of course, is that there is a lot to be ashamed of. But it’s ok to acknowledge that, and it’s certainly not unpatriotic to confront or highlight the failings of our past.
questingnotcoasting's review against another edition
challenging
informative
sad
medium-paced
4.0
This was a really interesting look at the legacy of empire in the UK. Sanghera tackles a heavy subject with humour and his writing style and tone really worked for me. There's a lot of information here but it was easy to read. It's amazing that I learnt none of this at school and I'm interested in reading his follow up Empireworld as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, and Xenophobia