Legacy of Violence
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Legacy of Violence
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Legacy of Violence
From Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Caroline Elkins comes Legacy of Violence, a profound and unflinching examination of the British Empire's pervasive and systemic use of violence throughout the twentieth century. This meticulously researched work, based on over a decade of inquiry across four continents, delves into the darkest corners of British imperial rule, revealing a racialised and systematic doctrine of brutality that characterised the Empire's efforts to maintain its global dominion.
Legacy of Violence is not merely a historical recounting but a crucial investigation that deconstructs and challenges long-held myths about the benign nature of British colonialism. Elkins' narrative captures the relentless and often concealed waves of violence inflicted on colonised populations, providing a stark contrast to the often glorified history of the British Empire. The book also details the lengths to which Britain went to cover up these atrocities once its control began to falter.
This landmark study has been distinguished by numerous accolades, including the NYU/Axinn Foundation Prize 2024, and a shortlist nomination for the prestigious Baillie Gifford Prize. It has also been named a Book of the Year by The New York Times, New Statesman, History Today, and BBC History Magazine.
Critics have universally praised Legacy of Violence for its groundbreaking revelations and compelling presentation. Robert Gildea, author of Empires of the Mind, describes the book as "masterly" and "dynamite." BBC History Magazine commends it as "not so much a history book as a book of historical significance," while the New Statesman hails it as "riveting." Moreover, Jill Lepore, author of These Truths, underscores its necessity, calling it "as unflinching as it is gripping, as carefully researched as it is urgently necessary."
Legacy of Violence is an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the true impact of empire on the modern world. Its thorough investigation and powerful narrative make it a monumental achievement in the field of historical study, illuminating the shadowy facets of British imperialism that have long been obscured.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Legacy of Violence by Caroline Elkins has been praised for its masterful and crucial narrative, which is unflinching and gripping, as well as carefully researched and urgently necessary. Reviews highlight the book's demonstration of the British Empire's institutional racism and state-sponsored violence, concealed through historical rewrites. Critics call it a monumental achievement, an illuminating and authoritative work that remains relevant and significant today, with its intense and meticulously documented examination of British imperial misconduct making it a powerful and essential read.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780099540250
Publisher: Vintage Publishing
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 07 September 2023
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Vintage
Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 54.0mm
Width: 129.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 699g
Pages: 896
About the Author
Caroline Elkins is a professor of history and of African and African American studies at Harvard University and the founding director of Harvard's Centre for African Studies. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including a Fulbright and an Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship. Her first book, Britain's Gulag- The Brutal End of Empire in Kenya, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction. Her research for that book was the subject of the award-winning BBC documentary Kenya- White Terror. She also served as an expert in the historic Mau Mau reparations case, brought against the British Government by survivors of violence in Kenya. She is a contributor to the New York Times Book Review, Guardian, Atlantic, Washington Post and New Republic. She lives in Watertown, Massachusetts.
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