Product Description

This survey of the rise and decline of European overseas empires asks how and why these empires were formed, persisted, and eventually fell. In a discussion that encompasses European and non-European actors as well as the economic, social, cultural and political dimensions of empire, David Abernethy explains Europe's long occupation of global centre stage and seeks to throw new light on today's postcolonial world and the legacies of empire.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #356099 in Books
• Published on: 2002-08-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 554 pages

Stanley Hoffmann, Foreign Affairs
"An eminently readable, masterly, and sensible book."

Jacob Heilbrunn, Washington Monthly
"A learned discussion of European overseas empires ... packed with provocative insights."

About the Author
David B. Abernethy is professor of political science at Stanford University.

Customer Reviews

Impartial and excellent analysis of the matter
This book covers the whole period of European overseas empires, i.e., from the beginning of the XV century up to the end of the XX century.
Perhaps its flaw, if any, is the lack of an explanation of why or how the Europeans were able to conquer said empires. This issue is linked to one of the most controversial issues nowadays on long-term and comparative history: why Western countries have dominated the world during the last few centuries. To put it in a nutshell (quoting from J.M. Blaut, "Eight eurocentric historians"): "Europe acquired incalculable riches from the Americas after 1492. This led to the rise to political power of the merchant-capitalist class and its allies, and in many others ways led, directly and indirectly, to the awakening of Europeans to the rest of the world and the transformation of Europe's society and economy". Also on this line, "The Great Divergence", by Kennetz Pomeranz, and Clive Ponting's World History.

Apart from that, the book is excellent. By means of comparative analysis, it tries (and, as far as I am concerned, he achieves his goal) to provide a global explanations of the phases of imperial expansion and contraction, the factors accounting for imperial expansion, and then contraction, and also sets up rational criteria that may lead on the future to the moral evaluation of colonialism [he gives his own and nuanced opinion on this matter].

Perhaps, as a Spaniard myself, I would have appreciated some more analysis on the Spanish empire. It would have been very useful if Mr. Abernethy had examined and passed judgment on the Spanish Empire in America and its "Black Legend". I bet it would have been worth reading that.
I have rated it four starts. Considering its content, I think it should be five; considering its readability, three. In any event, I do recommend it to read it.

Clear and thought-provoking
This book examines the factors that contributed to the rise and fall of colonialism. It is exceptionally clear and thought-provoking at the same time.

Being a social psychologist myself, I realized there is quite a lot of overlap between ideas outlined in this book and theories within my discipline. Thus, I learned a great deal from this book.

It's only minor flaw may be that there is some repetition in terms of arguments presented. But that's only a minor issue. It's a great book. I can recommend it to everyone!