Imperial Boredom offers a radical reconsideration of the British
Empire during its heyday in the nineteenth century. Challenging the
long-established view that the empire was about adventure and
excitement, with heroic men and intrepid women eagerly spreading
commerce and civilization around the globe, this thoroughly
researched, engagingly written, and lavishly illustrated account
suggests instead that boredom was central to the experience of
empire. Combining individual stories of pain and perseverance with
broader analysis, Professor Auerbach considers what it was actually
like to sail to Australia, to serve as a soldier in South Africa,
or to accompany a colonial official to the hill stations of India.
He reveals that for numerous men and women, from explorers to
governors, tourists to settlers, the Victorian Empire was dull and
disappointing. Drawing on diaries, letters, memoirs, and
travelogues, Imperial Boredom demonstrates that all across the
empire, men and women found the landscapes monotonous, the physical
and psychological distance from home debilitating, the routines of
everyday life wearisome, and their work tedious and unfulfilling.
The empires early years may have been about wonder and marvel, but
the Victorian Empire was a far less exciting project. Many books
about the British Empire focus on what happened; this book
concentrates on how people felt.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
(1)
(7)
