Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
The Rise and Fall of the British Empire
- Narrated by: Patrick N. Allitt
- Length: 18 hrs and 9 mins
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
£0.00 for first 30 days
Buy Now for £30.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Summary
What were the forces that thrust the British Empire to its extraordinary position of greatness and then just as powerfully drove it into decline? And why is nearly every nation on earth, in one way or another, the consequence of the British Empire?
In these 36 lectures, Professor Allitt leads you through four centuries of British power, innovation, influence, and, ultimately, diminishment - four profound centuries that literally remade the world and bequeathed the complex global legacy that continues to shape your everyday life. This is a remarkable lecture series; one that will give you fresh insights into world history in a wide range of areas - political, economic, technological, social, and more. And it will also give you a comprehensive overview you won't find offered anywhere else - a context into which you can integrate new knowledge about this country, as well as understand the background of current events in so many other countries that were once part of Britain's empire, from Ireland to China, and in Africa and the Caribbean. Indeed, it seems fair to say that one cannot truly understand the most important aspects of world history without a firm grasp of the history of the British Empire. In giving you that grasp, these lectures draw on a vast range of critical events, riveting personalities, revealing anecdotes, and eloquent quotations.
Compelling, comprehensive, and astonishing in the force of its narrative power, each lecture will give you a refreshing new understanding of what made the British Empire both great in its achievements and vulnerable to its eventual downfall.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
Editor reviews
What listeners say about The Rise and Fall of the British Empire
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- M. Bird
- 10-07-20
A balanced history of the British Empire
I would very much recommend this balanced tour of the history of the British empire. The lecturer, who is the voice double of Alan Partridge (which makes the course even more listenable), is very knowledgeable, engaging, and insightful.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- JOHN
- 04-10-22
Excellent Overview
As others have pointed out, Professor Allitt's accent bears an uncanny resemblance to Alan Partridge. However, that shouldn't put you off listening to this excellent lecture series. It provides a balanced overview of the British Empire. As an Irishman, I was particularly interested in how he dealt with Ireland and he did so sympathetically and fairly. All in all, the lectures are well worth listening to.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- The Mighty Pigeon
- 10-06-18
Fantastic. A great listen for all!
All British descended peoples and those in former occupied administered colonies should listen. The Lecturer is very good, the material is very concise and interesting. My only wish following this book is that the final 4 chapters would get an update now we've attempted to liberate ourselves from Europe.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Tri Jules
- 14-10-17
Great way to learn a significant amount of history
The author is clearly a master of his trade. The course is put together as a series of lectures that fit and cross reference nicely. I really enjoyed learning how many historical things had happened and feel this has improved my knowledge. Each lecture is kept at a pretty high level and it is all easy to follow. Great for very long journeys.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Dave B
- 05-07-15
Great little listen
Comprehensive and thorough especially given the time restrictions. Not overly verbose. The basics beyond the history are conveyed without prejudice and are clear for anyone to grasp. A great lecture series for history buffs and casual listeners alike
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mr
- 19-09-19
Outstanding!
Learned, witty and informative. Great pace throughout. Absolutely charming and engaging narrator! Can't recommend highly enough.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- T. Nicholls
- 06-09-22
So interesting and really nice pace
I grew up in England and our education in the British empire was practically non existent so this audiobook was so interesting and helpful in helping me tie together all the parts of history that lead to what I experience today.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Carl Davies
- 03-10-20
Fair and to the point
Very informative, thorough and fair, showing the good and the bad of the British Empire.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Aj
- 22-09-17
<br />An unbiased and entertaining lecture!
As a person who has always been fascinated with the empire it was educational and thoroughly enjoyable experience, I would recommend to anyone who wants to have a more in depth understanding of the British Empire and the British take on Imperialism.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- John
- 29-04-20
Alan Partridge makes this audio book a must listen
Fascinating lecture, good for giving a good understanding and background of the British Empire, the reader sounds like Alan Partridge which is the icing on the cake for me.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!