I learnt so much

I had no idea this book had so much in it. I learnt a great deal about South Africa and India that had been missing from my education. I loved this book so much I’ve downloaded the next in the trilogy.

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beautifully written and very well performed

Beautifully evocative of the landscapes, architecture, climates and, above all, personalities of the British Empire.

Narrator was fantastic - managed a distinct voice for every character of Empire that Morris introduced.

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Heavens command

history brilliantly written makes everything come alive and never lacks interest combining facts quotations humour and pathos

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Very entertaining

An enjoyable voyage through the history of empire building, jumping from country to country with enough detail to get a good understanding without getting bogged down in it. The book probably does pick and choose the most sensational parts of the imperial progress, but often this whets the appetite to read more on a particular subject that by necessity the author could only recount at a fairly high level. The book is not only about the battles of empire, but includes fascinating sections, for example, on the great explorers

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10 people found this helpful

Atmospheric history

Would you consider the audio edition of Heaven's Command to be better than the print version?

Have not read the print version

Have you listened to any of Roy McMillan’s other performances? How does this one compare?

The narrators' sparse use of accents was used to good effect and it was nice for a change to hear a British rather than an American accent in an audible book!

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I thought the chapter on the demise of the aboriginal Tasmanians was very poigneint.

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Very Long and Fascinating

This review is for all three large volumes of Mr Morris's brilliant and exhaustive work tracing the rise and fall of the British Empire in exquisite detail. From the grand sweep of history to the obscure backwoods incidents and the always fascinating explanations of all sorts of things and "facts" that we take for granted today which it turns out did not happen in the way traditional history would have us believe.



Another amazing part of the book is as it was written in the 1960s there isno PC rubbish or mincing of words to avoid notional offense given to any race or religion, all are treated equally and their stories told in all the gory details good or bad - this is certainly not a glorious whitewash of the Empire's history it is honest and frank in every way possibe.



The most unusual thing for me are the Irish sections which in mostly tends to be glossed over in the UK and still is today, this however was a relevation to me on the course and history of the "Irish Troubles".



The whole thing is a must for anybody interested in World History, I doubt I could have sat and read the books but on Audio they are brilliant.



Jonah

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outstanding!

really loved the narrator! the story is yank free for a chance and guilt free for a change. what was lost only exists in these Jan Morris works. even Nazi Germany gets more history than the British Empire!

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Wise, informative, riveting, gossipy, heartbreaking and heartwarming.

I wish history had been taught like this at school. I wish I had read it years ago. Beautifully read.

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Magnificent and perceptive

Despite a conventionally 'good' education, much of our imperial history went unmentioned in the modern history syllabus of the day and so passed me by. The magnificent sweep of this excellent first volume superbly fills in the huge gaps in my knowledge, and with great perception and sensitivity makes clear just exactly what was achieved and at what price to all concerned. I first heard of James Morris as he was then when reading about the successful 1953 Everest expedition, which he covered for the Times. I was so pleased to encounter his skilful and quietly witty style in this wholly absorbing and sometimes deeply moving book. Well done indeed.

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One of my favourites

I reread this from time to time. It’s beautifully written and rich in detail. This audio book was also beautifully read.

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