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Ornamentalism: How the British Saw Their Empire

by David Cannadine
Ornamentalism: How the British Saw Their Empire
Ornamentalism: How the British Saw Their Empire

British Empire's class-focused imperial ideology exposed.

"Ornamentalism" provides a fascinating angle on British imperialism, moving beyond the common race narrative to explore the role that British social class structures played in maintaining power across the empire. It's a thought-provoking read for anyone interested in understanding the nuances of historical power dynamics and the link between domestic social customs and global dominance. David Cannadine's scholarship offers a fresh perspective that promises to challenge and enrich your understanding of empire.

Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.

Ornamentalism: How the British Saw Their Empire

by David Cannadine
Condition guide

Book Condition Guide

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ISBN: 9780140297614
Authors: David Cannadine
Publisher: Penguin
Date of Publication: 2002-01-01
Format: Paperback
Related Collections: History, Politics
Related Topics: European History, Politics, History
Goodreads rating: 3.47
(rated by 340 readers)

Description

The British Empire has generally been seen as a racist empire (most influentially in Edward Said's "Ornamentalism"). While not wholly denying this, Cannadine, in this funny, often horrifying book, suggests a different dynamic. The British rulers were motivated not by race but by class - they loathed Indians or Africans no more or less than they loathed the great majority of Englishmen, dreaming of an empire based on deference and feudalism. The often farcical gap between these views and reality make "Ornamentalism" both highly enjoyable and extremely provocative for anyone wishing to understand how the British Empire really worked.
 

British Empire's class-focused imperial ideology exposed.

"Ornamentalism" provides a fascinating angle on British imperialism, moving beyond the common race narrative to explore the role that British social class structures played in maintaining power across the empire. It's a thought-provoking read for anyone interested in understanding the nuances of historical power dynamics and the link between domestic social customs and global dominance. David Cannadine's scholarship offers a fresh perspective that promises to challenge and enrich your understanding of empire.

Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.