Product Description

In this impressive and ambitious survey Dr Bayly studies the rise, apogee and decline of what has come to be called `the Second British Empire' -- the great expansion of British dominion overseas (particularly in Asia and the Middle East) during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic era that, coming between the loss of America and the subsequent partition of Africa, constitutes the central phase of British imperial history.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #700063 in Books
• Published on: 1989-06-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 312 pages

Review

'This is a rich and ambitious book. Its purpose is to put into focus developments throughout the world in the age of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars and their aftermath. It offers a radically different interpretation from generally accepted theories about the history of the world for this period.'

The Times Literary Supplement

Customer Reviews

Excellent account of the growth of empire
The period 1780-1830 was one of great conflict and unrest in the world, with the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars being the most notable examples of this. I wanted to read a book that helped explain this, which "Imperial Meridian" does and more. Dr Bayly begins by focusing on the Islamic world at the end of the eighteenth century and the decline of the Mughal, Safavid and Ottoman Empires. He then shows how the British state grew. Far from being a smooth transition to liberal democracy, it was often harsh and autocratic, adopting many methods of control from revolutionary France. He also looks at what motivated much of this expansion - war, trade, agricultural improvement and the roles of nationalism and religion. In each case, the issues are not as clear cut as often presented - for instance, nationalism and imperialism are often perceived as being antagonistic, but Dr Bayly shows that a certain amount of nationalism within an imperial framework was actively encouraged as a way of binding colony and metropolis together.

This is a small book, at about 250 pages, but it covers a huge amount, all of which is highly thought provoking. I would recommend this to anyone who wishes to read about this period, international relations or how state structures emerge.