One Fine Day: Britain's Empire on the Brink

The British Empire at its maximum territorial extent in 1923 was the largest empire the world had ever seen, but it was beset by debt and doubts. This book immerses the reader in the contemporary moment and focuses on particular people and stories from that day, gleaned from newspapers, letters, diaries, official documents, magazines, films, and novels. It reveals the most compelling human stories, from the grandest governors to the humblest migrants, policemen, and nurses.

Format: Hardback
Length: 608 pages
Publication date: 28 September 2023
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

The British Empire at its Maximum Territorial Extent: A New Way of Looking at the Empire
On Saturday, September 29, 1923, the Palestine Mandate became law, and the British Empire expanded to cover a staggering quarter of the world's land mass, with a population of 460 million people. It was the largest empire the world had ever seen, but it was also beset by debt and doubts. This book offers a fresh perspective on the British Empire, immersing the reader in the contemporary moment and focusing on particular people and stories from that day.

The book draws on a wide range of sources, including newspapers, letters, diaries, official documents, magazines, films, and novels, to provide a comprehensive view of the Empire. It covers a vast geographical area, from remote Pacific islands facing the removal of their soil to Australia, Burma, India, and Kenya, as well as London and the West Indies.

One of the key themes of the book is the issue of cultural and ethnic identity in a globalized world. The Empire was a melting pot of different cultures and ethnicities, and the book explores how these identities were shaped and influenced by the Empire. It also examines the challenges of managing multi-ethnic political entities and the dangers of racism and the divisive co-opting of religion for political purposes.

Another important theme of the book is the issue of ignorance. The Empire was a vast and complex system, and many people were unaware of its true nature and its impact on the world. The book explores how ignorance was perpetuated by the Empire's policies and practices, and how it led to the exploitation and oppression of many people.

Despite these challenges, the Empire's ability to reveal the most compelling human stories is extraordinary. Never before has there been a book which contains such a wide spread of vivid experiences from both colonized and colonizer. From the grandest governors to the humblest migrants, policemen, and nurses, the book provides a unique insight into the lives of those who were affected by the Empire.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the book is the way it explores the different ways in which the Empire was perceived by different people. The book includes accounts from both colonized and colonizer, and it shows how the Empire's impact was felt differently in different parts of the world. For example, the book explores the impact of the Empire on the indigenous peoples of Australia and the Pacific, and how they were forced to adapt to the new world.

Another important aspect of the book is the way it explores the role of the Empire in shaping the modern world. The Empire's policies and practices had a profound impact on the development of the world's economy, politics, and culture, and the book explores how these impacts continue to be felt today.

In conclusion, The British Empire at its Maximum Territorial Extent: A New Way of Looking at the Empire is a fascinating and important book that offers a fresh perspective on the Empire. It draws on a wide range of sources to provide a comprehensive view of the Empire, and it explores the key themes of cultural and ethnic identity, ignorance, and the Empire's ability to reveal the most compelling human stories. Whether you are interested in history, politics, or social justice, this book is essential reading.

Weight: 948g
Dimension: 162 x 243 x 43 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781408708583