Review by Choice Review
Perhaps the most contested issue within the lively area of British empire studies is the question of how influential the empire was on the home country or, to use the current term, the metropole. Some, such as Bernard Porter, argue that its effect was quite limited; others, such as Antoinette Burton, that it was ubiquitous. A middle ground contends that, in a characteristically British paradox, both situations could coexist: the empire permeated British life, but many in Britain managed to ignore its existence. This fine collection provides abundant evidence of how much the empire was present at home, using categories of race and gender, but not neglecting, in James Epstein's splendid piece, that older category of class. Catherine Hall discusses Macaulay; Laura Tabili points out that there were more "others" in Britain earlier than one might have thought; Christine Kinealy discusses whether Ireland is a colony or a constituent member of the UK. Others, in intriguing contributions, deal with sexuality, missionaries and religion, citizenship, and literature. Most imaginatively, Joanna de Groot explores the degree to which the British consumed imperial goods. Certainly, the empire came home and made Britain powerful, yet many could carry on as if it were hardly there. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels/libraries. P. Stansky emeritus, Stanford University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
