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Sathnam Sanghera
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Empireworld: How British Imperialism Has Shaped the Globe Hardcover – 25 Jan. 2024

by Sathnam Sanghera (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars 209 ratings
on any 2 Qualifying items | Terms

Brought to you by Penguin.

THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

Empireland examined imperialism's lasting impact on Britain

Empireworld traces the legacies of British empire across the globe.

2.6 billion people are inhabitants of former British colonies. The empire's influence upon the quarter of the planet it occupied, and its gravitational influence upon the world outside it, has been profound: from the spread of Christianity by missionaries to nearly 1 in 3 driving on the left side of the road, and even shaping the origins of international law. Yet Britain's idea of its imperial history and the world's experience of it are two very different things. ­­

In Empireworld, award-winning author and journalist, Sathnam Sanghera extends his examination of British imperial legacies beyond Britain. Travelling the globe to trace its international legacies - from Barbados and Mauritius to India and Nigeria and beyond - Sanghera demonstrates just how deeply British imperialism is baked into our world.

And why it's time Britain was finally honest with itself about empire.

‘A wonderful book’ Rory Stewart

‘Nuanced and deeply researched’ Financial Times

‘Not just a welcome corrective but a book for our times’ Peter Frankopan

©2024 Sathnam Sanghera (P)2024 Penguin Audio

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  1. Print length
    464 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Viking
  4. Publication date
    25 Jan. 2024
  5. Dimensions
    16.1 x 4 x 24.2 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    0241600413
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0241600412
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From the Publisher

'Beautifully written... essential reading' Peter Frankopan
'A profoundly moving work of personal insight, intelligence and compassion' Elizabeth Day
A fresh take on one of history's most debated subjects: the legacies of the British Empire

Product description

Review

If you thought Empireland was beautifully written – this follow up takes you even further – on an extraordinary, entertaining and eye-opening journey around the globe ― Sadiq Khan

Essential and absorbing reading for those not afraid to encounter diligently researched, complex, and often contradictory truths about colonial rule and its legacies ― Professor Alan Lester

This is a ground-breaking and eye-opening book, that everyone should read. Written with wit, nuance and academic rigour; it is a long overdue look at Empire and its effect on the world ― Kavita Puri

Once again, Sathnam Sanghera has advanced the civil conversation we all need to have about empire and its legacies ― Jonathan Coe

One of my favourite writers and Empireworld is a must read if you want to understand the world -- Greg James ― BBC Radio

Another smart, compassionate and essential book about the legacy of Empire and our braided histories ― Meera Syal

His writing on empire and colonialism will change how you understand modern Britain ― Bella Mackie

This brave, painful, urgent and timely book, is not, in other words, about 'goodies' or 'baddies'. It is about telling the truth about a nation’s imperial past in all its ambiguity ― and creating dialogue between everyone who lays claim to Britishness -- Jerry Brotton ― The Financial Times

This is history with a personal touch . . . today’s history students will have much to ponder . . . there are plenty of new ideas, argued with passion. If Britain wants to move forward as a key player on the world stage, Sanghera demonstrates, we must take time to understand our past ― all warts, and all wonders, considered -- Alice Loxton ― The Sunday Times

Refined, subtle, accurate, analytical, witty, engaging, and questioning . . . this book puts Sanghera in the firmament of great imperial historians. Furthermore, his lucid and accessible writing reaches out to those with closed minds. For that he deserves all the accolades he is sure to get -- Yasmin Alibhai-Brown ― The i

From the Back Cover

'Beautifully written, and not just a welcome corrective but a book for our times. This is essential reading' Peter Frankopan

From the award-winning author of Empireland – the book that started a national conversation about how we talk about race and imperial history in Britain – a ground-breaking exploration of how British empire has shaped the world we live in today.
_____________________________________________________

Empireland examined imperialism's lasting impact on Britain. Empireworld traces the legacies of British empire across the globe.

2.6 billion people are inhabitants of former British colonies. The empire's influence upon the quarter of the planet it occupied, and its gravitational influence upon the world outside it, has been profound: from the spread of Christianity by missionaries, to nearly 1 in 3 driving on the left side of the road, to the origins of international law. Yet Britain's idea of its imperial history and the world's experience of it are two very different things. ­­

In Empireworld, award-winning author and journalist, Sathnam Sanghera extends his examination of British imperial legacies beyond Britain. With an inimitable combination of wit, political insight and personal honesty, he explores the international legacies of British empire – from the creation of tea plantations across the globe, to environmental destruction, conservation, and the imperial connotations of Royal tours. His journey takes him from Barbados and Mauritius to India and Nigeria and beyond. In doing so, Sanghera demonstrates just how deeply British imperialism is baked into our world. And why it’s time Britain was finally honest with itself about empire.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Viking; 1st edition (25 Jan. 2024)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 464 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0241600413
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0241600412
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 16.1 x 4 x 24.2 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 209 ratings

About the author

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Sathnam Sanghera

Sathnam Sanghera

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Sathnam Sanghera was born to Punjabi parents in the West Midlands in 1976. He entered the education system unable to speak English but, after attending Wolverhampton Grammar School, graduated from Christ’s College, Cambridge with a first class degree in English Language and Literature. He has been shortlisted for the Costa Book Awards twice, for his memoir The Boy With The Topknot and his novel Marriage Material, the former being adapted by BBC Drama in 2017 and named Mind Book of the Year in 2009. His third book, Empireland: How Imperialism Has Been Shaped Modern Britain became an instant Sunday Times bestseller on release in 2021, and was named a Book of the Year at the 2022 British Books Awards.

Empireland also inspired Empire State of Mind, the acclaimed two-part documentary for Channel 4 for which he earned a Best Presenter shortlisting at the 2022 Grierson Awards, and Stolen History: The Truth about the British Empire and How it Shaped Us, which went to No 1 on several children’s books charts when it was released in 2023. He has been awarded two honorary doctorates and won numerous awards for his journalism, including Young Journalist of the Year at the British Press Awards in 2002, Media Commentator of the year in the 2015 Comment Awards and the Edgar Wallace Trophy for Writing of the Highest Quality at the 2017 London Press Club Awards. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2016, and elected a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society in recognition of his contribution to historical scholarship in 2023.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
209 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book well-researched and fascinating, with one review noting it's full of facts and figures. The storyline receives positive feedback, with one customer describing it as a fantastic follow-up to an equally fantastic book.

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15 customers mention ‘Scholarly content’15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well-researched and fascinating, with one customer noting it is full of facts and figures.

"I found Empireland and Empireworld most interesting and informative, well written, erudite, and full of many facts and figures I was unaware of...." Read more

"...as the scope expands to a far wider range than Empireland, but no less compelling and fascinating...." Read more

"A captivating and important read, outlining the far reaching impact British imperialism has had around the world...." Read more

"Some parts are tough going and not so interesting. Opens your eyes on our history. Remember we cannot be held account for the sins of others...." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Storyline’3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline of the book, with one describing it as a fantastic follow-up to an equally fantastic book.

"Fantastic follow-up to an equally fantastic book, Empireworld maintains a stunning wit and nuance as the scope expands to a far wider range than..." Read more

"...A well researched and entertaining sequel to Empireland- highly recommend!" Read more

"...Empireland, dealt with the development of the empire, and this book continues the story, focusing on the impact of that Empire on the world...." Read more

A nuanced journey through Britain's past - easy and informative read
5 out of 5 stars
A nuanced journey through Britain's past - easy and informative read
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for an interesting and accessible view of Britain’s past and its impact across the globe. Sathnam Sanghera weaves his individual journey of discovery travelling to various ex-colonies in a very personal, sometimes amusing, sometimes cynical but always illuminating way. Some parts of the book are genuinely astonishing – he must have a brain the size of a planet to bring it all together. Having been trained at the Financial Times to double-source all information the notes and references are impeccable – and page footnotes are all illuminating. At times I had to put the book down and rest for a day or two as I was triggered at unexpected points – the British treatment of first nations communities in the lands now called Australia made especially difficult reading for me. I learned a lot in an easy read. Along with his previous book EmpireLand Sathnam has done more than most to raise the profile of an imperial past that many people in the UK don’t know about or choose to ignore. He eschews the balance sheet treatment of Empire in favour of a nuanced and considered approach to the subject which is refreshing. Buy the book or get it at your library – although if you like taking notes and underlining – maybe buy it. Totally worth reading.
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Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Terry Grigg
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great polemic on the trials and tribulations of the British Empire
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 December 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I found Empireland and Empireworld most interesting and informative, well written, erudite, and full of many facts and figures I was unaware of. Although I broadly agree with the conclusions, I would like to add that every dog has its day and empires come and go… the Romans, the Ottomans, the Spanish, the French, the British, then the Americans, Russians and Chinese. There is always a bully in the playground, and as soon as one is defeated another takes its place. Such is the dire nature of humankind.
    12 people found this helpful
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  • Frank Lepave
    4.0 out of 5 stars A well argued and researched identification of the effect of Britain on the world
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 December 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I liked it because he treats the subject in a neutral manner, so different from the triumphalist view I learnt in the 60s and still very prevalent in parts of the UK establishment. It is neither an aggrieved attack on the legacy which is naturally mixed. The British as cruel opressors is such a trope very often propagated by existing imperialists both physical and cultural that it is refreshing not to have it promoted here. It was an empire built by an upstart European power in competition, particularly with the French, into a largely feudal world not capable of resisting its technological weaponry and commercial philosophy over 200 years. It is now reverting to its natural place as a medium sized power on the edge of Europe.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Conal Gallagher
    5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 August 2024
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    Fantastic follow-up to an equally fantastic book, Empireworld maintains a stunning wit and nuance as the scope expands to a far wider range than Empireland, but no less compelling and fascinating. There’s a tradeoff; the broader subject matter on the global focus means it does become denser at times, whereas Empireland felt more concise in its approach, but the deeper level of Sanghera’s personal stakes in this more than balanced out this trade. Can’t recommend it enough
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Robbierunciman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Real History for people who dislike “ladybird historians”
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 December 2024
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    Makes a clear case about the way the British empire changed the world in good and bad ways. Striking how the legacy of decisions made in the 19th century have forever changed these countries and impact on difficulties they face as independent states. Can be a bit heavy at times, but this is the non-bowdlerised history we all need.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars An important read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 August 2024
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    A captivating and important read, outlining the far reaching impact British imperialism has had around the world. Especially urgent to read to understand how Britain should see itself as a multicultural nation, given its multicultural imperial legacy. A well researched and entertaining sequel to Empireland- highly recommend!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • deadly douglass
    4.0 out of 5 stars Eye Opener
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 October 2024
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    Some parts are tough going and not so interesting. Opens your eyes on our history. Remember we cannot be held account for the sins of others. It helps to understand though so that mistakes are not repeated.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • chrissie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent analysis of the impact of the British Empire on the world
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 March 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Sathnam Sanghera’s first book, Empireland, dealt with the development of the empire, and this book continues the story, focusing on the impact of that Empire on the world. That impact is regrettably often negative to the extent that whenever you look at a trouble spot in the world , somewhere at the bottom of it will be the British Empire. I only wish that more of the people who yearn for the days of Empire would read and accept this book.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Aonghus O'Broin
    3.0 out of 5 stars well researched
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 March 2024
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    Where did he get the time for the volumes of research and reading. A challenging read but worth the effort.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Eric F.
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in the United States on 10 May 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Everything arrived on time and as advertised
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  • Robin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Empireworld
    Reviewed in Canada on 9 September 2024
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    Very good explanation of colonialism and its current impacts.
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  • Viranch Damani
    1.0 out of 5 stars Very poor writing
    Reviewed in India on 23 January 2025
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    This book is perfect for an imperialism apologist and spends the better part of the beginning chapter in dwelling over Modi who is no way related to the broader topic at hand. Very poor writing.
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  • robin simmons
    1.0 out of 5 stars A terribly depressing book.
    Reviewed in Germany on 28 January 2025
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    I gave up after the 100th factoid about how horrible the British were and cntinue to be. I regret buying tjis book. If you want to be depressed about British Colonial history this this the book for you. I recommend to avoid it.
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