This is a study of the post war break-up of the British Empire, organized chronologically and written in narrative form. As the great imperial power before 1939, Britain played a leading role in the great post-war shift in the relationship between the West and the Third World, which we call "decolonization". From the abandonment of the raj in India to the eventual entry into the European Community, there were revolutionary changes in Britain's long tradition of aloofness from Europe and pursuit of world power. The author examines the reasons for the British giving up their Asian and African colonies after 1945 asking whether nationalism in colonial societies or indifference in Britain was the key factor in the dissolution of the British Empire. Was the decay of British power and influence an inevitable consequence of imperial decline? Did British policies in the last phase of empire reflect an acceptance of decline or the hope that it would be postponed indefinitely by timely concessions? He also questions the significance of the Suez crisis and the Falklands war. Geoffrey Warner also wrote " Britain, Egypt and the Middle East".

The penultimate volume in this documentary series covers the first part of the 20th century processes of decolonization within the British Empire, concluding with the independence of Ceylon, the first of the non-European-settled colonies. It also illustrates constitutional developments in the West Indies (particularly Jamaica, Trinidad, and British Guiana), Mauritius and Seychelles, Hong Kong, Fiji, the Western Pacific, Gibraltar, the Falklands, and West, East, and Central-Southern Africa, as well as advance and retreat in Malta and Cyprus. There is a section on Egypt and on the mandates of Palestine, Transjordania, and Mesopotamia.

An introductory section demonstrates the changes both in attitudes to and the dimensions of colonial rule during the period from the deep freeze of trusteeship to partnership. The concluding date saw, in addition to Ceylon's full membership in the Commonwealth, the speedy replacement of an abortive union of Malaya by a federation, a failed initiative in Cyprus, and what proved to be abortive reform in Hong Kong and Fiji, treaty revision in Egypt, a policy change in the Sudan, the surrender of the Palestine mandate, and the establishment of Israel. By 1948, though doubts remained about a closer association of the colonies, protectorates, and mandates in West, East, and Central Africa, there was optimism about a possible federation of the Caribbean.

The sixth volume in Greenwood's ongoing series, this book is the first of three fine volumes to cover the twentieth century and the last stages in decolonization of the British Empire. It is concerned with the original five Dominions, the apparently inappropriate association of the Irish Free State with those Dominions, and the similarly anomalous status of India, the first non-European dependency and the first republic to secure full membership in the Commonwealth and to make it a multiracial association. The book documents the evolution of, changes in, and rise and fall of that Commonwealth association; the shifts in the balance of powers within the Canadian and Australian federations; the fulfillment of union in South Africa and Ireland; the coherence emerging in New Zealand; the bankruptcy in Newfoundland; and the separation of India and Pakistan. Two forthcoming volumes will deal with the colonies, protectorates, and mandates in the twentieth century.

The Prospect of Global History takes a new approach to the study of global history, seeking to apply it, rather than advocate it. The volume seeks perspectives on history from East Asian and Islamic sources as well as European ones, and insists on depth in historical analysis. The Prospect of Global History will speak to those interested in medieval and ancient history as well as modern history. Chapters range from historical sociology to economic history, from medieval to modern times, from European expansion to constitutional history, and from the United States across South Asia to China.

Winner of the 2008 Wolfson History Prize for excellence in historical writing.

Tamerlane, the Ottomans, the Mughals, the Manchus, the British, the Japanese, the Nazis, and the Soviets: All built empires meant to last forever; all were to fail. But, as John Darwin shows in this magisterial book, their empire-building created the world we know today.

From the death of Tamerlane in 1405, to America's rise to world "hyperpower," to the resurgence of China and India as global economic powers, "After Tamerlane "is a grand historical narrative that offers a new perspective on the past, present, and future of empires.

The only handbook devoted to splicing today's ropes, this bestselling reference covers every kind of splicing project a boater will ever need. Featuring step-by-step illustrations and explanations for the most useful and popular splices in traditional twisted and modern braided ropes as well as wire, it covers: - how to splice high-tech, slippery, synthetic ropes such as Spectra, Dyneema and Kevlar - mainstream rope materials such as Dacron and nylon - all standard rope constructions, including solid braid, double braid, parallel core, plaited and three-strand rope - how to splice wire for shrouds and halyards, and rope to wire splices This new edition has been expanded to include a section on wire selection, new wire splices and several attractive knot and splice-based projects: rope fenders, rope cargo nets, rope ladders and rope bow puddings. There isn't a rope project on board that can't be tackled with this guide. 'Covers every splicing project a yachtsman will ever need.' Kelvin Hughes 'Aimed at the beginner, though the in-depth stuff will appeal to old hands too.' Classic Boat

A both controversial and comprehensive historical analysis of how the British Empire worked, from Wolfson Prize-winning author and historian John Darwin The British Empire shaped the world in countless ways: repopulating continents, carving out nations, imposing its own language, technology and values. For perhaps two centuries its expansion and final collapse were the single largest determinant of historical events, and it remains surrounded by myth, misconception and controversy today. John Darwin's provocative and richly enjoyable book shows how diverse, contradictory and in many ways chaotic the British Empire really was, controlled by interests that were often at loggerheads, and as much driven on by others' weaknesses as by its own strength.

The British Empire, wrote Adam Smith, 'has hitherto been not an empire, but the project of an empire' and John Darwin offers a magisterial global history of the rise and fall of that great imperial project. The British Empire, he argues, was much more than a group of colonies ruled over by a scattering of British expatriates until eventual independence. It was, above all, a global phenomenon. Its power derived rather less from the assertion of imperial authority than from the fusing together of three different kinds of empire: the settler empire of the 'white dominions'; the commercial empire of the City of London; and 'Greater India' which contributed markets, manpower and military muscle. This unprecedented history charts how this intricate imperial web was first strengthened, then weakened and finally severed on the rollercoaster of global economic, political and geostrategic upheaval on which it rode from beginning to end.

The Prospect of Global History takes a new approach to the study of global history, seeking to apply it, rather than advocate it. The volume seeks perspectives on history from East Asian and Islamic sources as well as European ones, and insists on depth in historical analysis. The Prospect of Global History will speak to those interested in medieval and ancient history as well as modern history. Chapters range from historical sociology to economic history, from medieval to modern times, from European expansion to constitutional history, and from the United States across South Asia to China.

Tamerlane, the Ottomans, the Mughals, the Manchus, the British, the Soviets, the Japanese and the Nazis. All built empires they hoped would last forever: all were destined to fail. But, as John Darwin shows in his magnificent book, their empire building created the world we know today. From the death of Tamerlane in 1405, last of the 'world conquerors', to the rise and fall of European empires, and from America's growing colonial presence to the resurgence of India and China as global economic powers, After Tamerlane provides a wonderfully intriguing perspective on the past, present and future of empires.

The British Empire, wrote Adam Smith, 'has hitherto been not an empire, but the project of an empire' and John Darwin offers a magisterial global history of the rise and fall of that great imperial project. The British Empire, he argues, was much more than a group of colonies ruled over by a scattering of British expatriates until eventual independence. It was, above all, a global phenomenon. Its power derived rather less from the assertion of imperial authority than from the fusing together of three different kinds of empire: the settler empire of the 'white dominions'; the commercial empire of the City of London; and 'Greater India' which contributed markets, manpower and military muscle. This unprecedented history charts how this intricate imperial web was first strengthened, then weakened and finally severed on the rollercoaster of global economic, political and geostrategic upheaval on which it rode from beginning to end.

"Whichever way I take I meet myself returning." A poetic journey from the mills and moors of the industrial north to the meals and mosques of the Byzantine middle-east and back again. I Meet Myself Returning is about finding your feet in our convoluted world and letting them take you to a place to call your own. And occasionally stopping off for a pint. "John Darwin's poems are when one pint with an old friend turns into six. When you spend five minutes walking around a city that you've never visited before, but somehow feel at home. His words are visceral, delicate, vulnerable and utterly engrossing." - Matt Abbott, poet, educator & activist "For those of us who struggle with the concept of permanence, who gulp when we're asked where we're from and shiver when we're asked who we are, this is a collection that is sorely needed. It's the antidote to the straight-edge, consumer-driven Grand Designs poison of 21st Century life and it should be prescribed to everybody." - Genevieve L. Walsh, spoken word artist

The only book devoted completely to slicing todays ropes, this fully illustrated, step-by-step guide has been expanded and enhanced in this new edition and now covers wire splices, and splices in Spectra and Kevlar ropes as well as Dacron braid and traditional three-strand. The Splicing Handbook includes every splice project a boater will ever need.

From the acclaimed historian of global empire, the dramatic story of how steam power reshaped our cities and our seas, and forged a new world order Steam power transformed our world, initiating the complex, resource-devouring industrial system the consequences of which we live with today. It revolutionized work and production, but also the ease and cost of movement over land and water. The result was to throw open vast areas of the world to the rampaging expansion of Europeans and Americans on a scale previously unimaginable. Unlocking the World is the captivating history of the great port cities which emerged as the bridgeheads of this new steam-driven economy, reshaping not just the trade and industry of the regions around them but their culture and politics as well. They were the agents of what we now call 'globalization', but their impact and influence, and the reactions they provoked, were far from predictable. Nor were they immune to the great upheavals in world politics across the 'steam century'. This book is global history at its very best. Packed with fascinating case histories (from New Orleans to Montreal, Bombay to Singapore, Calcutta to Shanghai), individual stories and original ideas, Darwin's book allows us, for better or worse, to see the modern age taking shape. 'A fine, important and original book ... wonderful' Paul Kennedy, Literary Review

A breathtaking romp through the city s Tokyo s history from the mid 19th to the mid 20th century, using lots of images, writings and clippings to bring back to life those far-off days."