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Uncommon Wealth
- Britain and the Aftermath of Empire
- Narrated by: Kojo Koram
- Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins
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Uncommon Wealth
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Summary
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.
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)
What listeners say about Uncommon Wealth
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- Allan
- 15-03-23
A great read.
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.
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- Catherine S. Vasey
- 23-09-22
Read this book, it's good.
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.
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5 people found this helpful
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- Avi D Reader
- 03-11-22
A well presented history, and a well argued thesis
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.
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- Miss
- 27-12-22
Important, insightful, connection the dots
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.
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- Ms J M Thorp
- 26-07-23
Excellent
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
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- Monika Hartmann
- 30-11-22
Brilliant!
Loved this crash course in imperialism and economics. I can see why they don't teach this in school.
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- Anonymous User
- 24-05-23
Desperately needed insight and perspective
A well structured and easy to follow work that nonetheless paints a detailed, highly informative picture of its subject. Hugely important for listeners to remember that to teach history and economics in this way in schools is becoming a matter of state prohibition in the UK and some parts of the USA.
Perhaps as an old Brython of low class, I can already sense a little that my white skin is no protection against the same fate that has befallen Africans and Asians at the hands of extractive corporate capitalism. History runs deep. This is the great beauty and importance of this work. Those of us who are white are conditioned to believe that somehow our whiteness gives us some divine protection against the evils of mass poverty. We believe it so sub consciously, we do not question it. Actually, the same machine that has caused such huge global inequality in the first place is again being turned against us, as it was previous bleaker ages, if only we remembered.
The hypocrisy of nativist-backed global finance and state-funded free markets is laid bare herein for the massive scam that it is against (nearly) all of us. Honestly one of the best books I’ve come across in years, and still there is so much more to say. Thanks, Dr. Karam.
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- Anne Marie O'Riordan
- 24-05-23
Brilliant
Incisive, enlightening and I hope will add one of many more much needed footnotes about British history.
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- Elaine Shariff
- 18-03-24
Uncommonwealth
liked the detailed history of key events abroad. Also how events in the past are influencing 21st century UK.
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- Amazon Customer
- 15-09-22
Highly Recommend Reading
A really easy read which helps to explain the connection between empire and its legacy and the ever increasing wealth inequality that exists not just in the world but within our nations and cities.
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1 person found this helpful