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_____________________________________________________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._____________________________________________________'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 iInstant Sunday Times bestseller January 2024
