Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
The Rise and Fall of the British Empire
- Narrated by: Patrick N. Allitt
- Length: 18 hrs and 9 mins
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
99p for the first 3 months
The Rise and Fall of the British Empire
Buy Now for £30.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
Editor reviews
Summary
What were the forces that thrust the British Empire to its extraordinary position of greatness and then just as powerfully drove it into decline? And why is nearly every nation on earth, in one way or another, the consequence of the British Empire?
In these 36 lectures, Professor Allitt leads you through four centuries of British power, innovation, influence, and, ultimately, diminishment - four profound centuries that literally remade the world and bequeathed the complex global legacy that continues to shape your everyday life. This is a remarkable lecture series; one that will give you fresh insights into world history in a wide range of areas - political, economic, technological, social, and more. And it will also give you a comprehensive overview you won't find offered anywhere else - a context into which you can integrate new knowledge about this country, as well as understand the background of current events in so many other countries that were once part of Britain's empire, from Ireland to China, and in Africa and the Caribbean. Indeed, it seems fair to say that one cannot truly understand the most important aspects of world history without a firm grasp of the history of the British Empire. In giving you that grasp, these lectures draw on a vast range of critical events, riveting personalities, revealing anecdotes, and eloquent quotations.
Compelling, comprehensive, and astonishing in the force of its narrative power, each lecture will give you a refreshing new understanding of what made the British Empire both great in its achievements and vulnerable to its eventual downfall.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
What listeners say about The Rise and Fall of the British Empire
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- M. Bird
- 10-07-20
A balanced history of the British Empire
I would very much recommend this balanced tour of the history of the British empire. The lecturer, who is the voice double of Alan Partridge (which makes the course even more listenable), is very knowledgeable, engaging, and insightful.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- The Mighty Pigeon
- 10-06-18
Fantastic. A great listen for all!
All British descended peoples and those in former occupied administered colonies should listen. The Lecturer is very good, the material is very concise and interesting. My only wish following this book is that the final 4 chapters would get an update now we've attempted to liberate ourselves from Europe.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tri Jules
- 14-10-17
Great way to learn a significant amount of history
The author is clearly a master of his trade. The course is put together as a series of lectures that fit and cross reference nicely. I really enjoyed learning how many historical things had happened and feel this has improved my knowledge. Each lecture is kept at a pretty high level and it is all easy to follow. Great for very long journeys.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- JOHN
- 04-10-22
Excellent Overview
As others have pointed out, Professor Allitt's accent bears an uncanny resemblance to Alan Partridge. However, that shouldn't put you off listening to this excellent lecture series. It provides a balanced overview of the British Empire. As an Irishman, I was particularly interested in how he dealt with Ireland and he did so sympathetically and fairly. All in all, the lectures are well worth listening to.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Dave B
- 05-07-15
Great little listen
Comprehensive and thorough especially given the time restrictions. Not overly verbose. The basics beyond the history are conveyed without prejudice and are clear for anyone to grasp. A great lecture series for history buffs and casual listeners alike
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr
- 19-09-19
Outstanding!
Learned, witty and informative. Great pace throughout. Absolutely charming and engaging narrator! Can't recommend highly enough.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- T. Nicholls
- 06-09-22
So interesting and really nice pace
I grew up in England and our education in the British empire was practically non existent so this audiobook was so interesting and helpful in helping me tie together all the parts of history that lead to what I experience today.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- michael frost
- 17-02-17
A pleasure to listen to.
The fact that the professor's voice is so similar to Steve Coogan's Alan Partridge made listening all the more enjoyable.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
38 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- G.A. Davies
- 01-11-18
British Empire fact.
Excellent book however there was at least one glaring wrong fact in the book.
The author claims that Edward V11 didn't visit India during his time as Prince of Wales. This isn't correct as he visited it in 1875/ 76 .
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- N J.
- 06-02-23
Great synopsis of British Imperial History
Spanning the entire British Empire from Rise to Fall, this book covers wide ranging topics on the subject providing a great overview.
Whether you love or hate what the British Empire stood for, it has had a marked effect on the world we live in and this book explains how that situation was arrived at.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!