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Uncommon Wealth

Britain and the Aftermath of Empire

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Uncommon Wealth

By: Kojo Koram
Narrated by: Kojo Koram
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About this listen

Britain didn't just put the empire back the way it had found it.

In Uncommon Wealth, Kojo Koram traces the tale of how, after the end of the British empire, an interconnected group of well-heeled British intellectuals, politicians, accountants and lawyers offshored their capital, seized assets and saddled debt in former 'dependencies'. This enabled horrific inequality across the globe, as ruthless capitalists profited and ordinary people across Britain's former territories in colonial Africa, Asia and the Caribbean were trapped in poverty. However, the reinforcement of capitalist power across the world also ricocheted back home. Now it has left many Britons wondering where their own sovereignty and prosperity has gone....

Decolonisation was not just a trendy buzzword. It was one of the great global changes of the past hundred years, yet Britain - the protagonist in the whole messy drama - has forgotten it was ever even there. A blistering uncovering of the scandal of Britain's disastrous treatment of independent countries after empire, Uncommon Wealth shows the decisions of decades past are contributing to the forces that are breaking Britain today.

©2022 Kojo Koram (P)2022 Hodder & Stoughton Limited Europe Great Britain Politics & Government Thought-Provoking Money Socialism Capitalism Caribbean

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Critic reviews

"Brilliantly arranged and rich with fresh insights, Uncommon Wealth reminds us how the forgotten stories of empire and decolonisation continue to impact our daily lives in Britain - and throughout the world - up to today." (Akala)
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I recommend this book. A concise history of many of the direct impacts on my life, seen through interesting streams of causes and effects played out due to decolonisation.

A great read.

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A very engaging book which very helpfully unfolded a comprehensive account of the legacies of the British empire that we all need to hear. I liked the insight into the authors own perspectives from his cultural heritage in Ghana. A brilliant account

Excellent

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Loved this crash course in imperialism and economics. I can see why they don't teach this in school.

Brilliant!

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I really enjoyed this, it is beautifully written and read by the author; it was for me a lot of disparate threads that I was more or less aware of, woven together in a (to me) novel and highly instructive way. I found I understood a lot of things differently by the end of the book, and I felt strongly how lacking my British education has been in so many areas.

Read this book, it's good.

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You may or may not agree with all the author's theories of cause and effect, but this is not (I believe) a polemical book. The author's reading is mildly ironic in tone- not angry or haranguing.

A well presented history, and a well argued thesis

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One of the most helpful books, written in an accessible way, for understanding Britain's changing relationship with, and understanding of, the history of the afterpath of Empire - connecting it to today's struggles in the UK, and ultimately calling for furthur recognition of this relationship and change, for the betterment of all workers, not just those in post-colonial countries. For me, one of the best books I've listened to this year.

Important, insightful, connection the dots

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Great overview of how we got to where we are today and where we might end up if continuing down the same path...

Must Listen

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Loved this telling of history and its impact on today. It gave clarity to some of my thoughts and a deeper understanding of the country I was born in.
Well read.

the truth be out.

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Kojo Koram provides an incisive (and very readable) new perspective on issues raised by Brexit, BLM and decolonisation movements linking them together with a political economic historical lens. The decline in British living standards is something that is intimately bound up with Britain's colonial legacies, it's legal structures and secret power brokers. A great Introduction to these issues well read by the author.

Essential listening

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Topical, to the point and hard hitting,
The history boomerang causing the issues britain faces today, from singapore to Kingstown, Koram delivers a well researched and seamlessly woven narrative of britains most neglected relationship - that with her 'commonwealth'.

The book I never knew I needed

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