Set in the 19th century, 'English Passengers' tells the story of a voyage to Tasmania by a group of eccentric British adventurers, including Reverend Geoffrey Wilson and Dr. Thomas Potter. The novel explores the devastating effects of British colonization on the indigenous Tasmanian population through multiple narratives. It won the Whitbread Book of the Year Award in 2000 and was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.
Black Tudors: The Untold Story by Miranda Kaufmann reveals the fascinating lives of Africans who lived in Tudor England, challenging common narratives about racial identity and slavery during that era. The book profiles ten individuals, including John Blanke, a trumpeter, and Jacques Francis, a salvage diver, highlighting their diverse roles and experiences in 16th-century England.
Saidiya Hartman's "Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments" is a groundbreaking work that reimagines the lives of Black women in the early 20th century. The book uses a unique combination of historical research, literary analysis, and visual imagery to create a powerful and moving portrait of Black female subjectivity. Hartman's writing is both poetic and analytical, challenging traditional historical narratives and offering a new way of understanding the past. The book's use of photographs and fragmented narratives creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy, allowing readers to connect with the lives of the women depicted. "Wayward Lives" has been widely praised for its innovative approach to historical scholarship and its profound impact on the field of Black Studies.
In 'Empireworld', Sathnam Sanghera extends his analysis of British imperial legacies beyond Britain to the wider world. The book explores how the British empire, built on slavery but also pioneering abolition, spread democracy while seeding geopolitical instability, and devastated nature while giving birth to modern environmentalism. Sanghera travels to various former colonies, including Barbados, Mauritius, India, and Nigeria, to reveal the nuanced and deeply researched history of how these contradictory forces have shaped our world today. The book connects historical legacies to current global challenges such as decolonization, climate justice, and systemic inequality, making it a crucial read for understanding the ongoing impact of the British empire[1][3][4].
In 'Empireland', Sathnam Sanghera offers a fresh critique of the British Empire and its lasting impact on British society. The book is a personal journey of discovery, where Sanghera explores how the Empire has influenced his own life and the broader British culture. He delves into the complex legacies of the Empire, discussing its formation, its moral complexities, and its ongoing effects on demographics, attitudes, and cultural norms. Sanghera argues against a simplistic 'balance sheet view of history', instead presenting a nuanced and balanced account that highlights both the beneficial and harmful aspects of the Empire. The book also addresses issues such as slavery, racism, and the exploitation of colonial resources, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive understanding of the Empire's history and its continued influence on modern Britain.
Written in the early 16th century, 'The Prince' is a realistic instruction guide for new rulers. Machiavelli argues that an effective leader must be skilled in the art of war, sometimes cruel, and willing to use deception and manipulation to achieve political goals. The book is divided into chapters that discuss various types of principalities, how to acquire and maintain power, and the qualities a prince should possess. Machiavelli uses historical examples, including the career of Cesare Borgia, to illustrate his points. The treatise emphasizes the importance of maintaining the goodwill of the people and the stability of the state, even if it means deviating from traditional virtues. 'The Prince' remains a controversial but influential work in modern political philosophy.
Sathnam Sanghera is a writer and author of bestselling books exploring British identity, the latest of which is Empireworld: How British Imperialism Has Shaped the Globe. It follows Empireland, which looked at how the British Empire has shaped modern Britain. Sanghera has written both novels and non-fiction. He’s a columnist for the Times newspaper and his 2021 documentary Empire State of Mind opened up new conversations about identity and race for television viewers. Joining him in conversation for this episode is Helen Carr, the writer and historian who specialises in medieval history and public history. Her books include The Red Prince and the upcoming This Is England, plus as a broadcaster she appears across outlets ranging from History Hit to the BBC.
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