Empires and empire building: lessons from the past.
6/2/2003
In this controversial new work, British historian Niall Ferguson provides an engrossing history of the rise and influences of the British Empire. Ferguson, a professor of political and financial history at Oxford and New York Universities, draws parallels between mid-nineteenth century England, at the height of her power, and contemporary America as the world's leading global power. Initially published in England to accompany a television series of the same name, Empire is an engaging chronicle of the development of Britain as a commercial, financial, and industrial power over four centuries. Emphasizing the positive legacy of the British Empire on our modern world, including parliamentary democracy and liberal capitalism, Ferguson offers an intriguing perspective to the discussion of empire and empire building.