The First British Empire is an authoritative, highly readable and substantial account of the origins, growth and transformation of the British Empire from its European beginnings until the aftermath of the American Revolution. Taking a regional and chronological approach, and highlighting the dual drivers of profit and power, it shows that the early empire was a mechanism not for dominance but for survival. From the naval war against Spain to the 'Glorious Revolution' and the wars against Napoleon, with a population perhaps one third that of France, England needed an oceanic empire to offset its European weakness. Expansion from mainland North America to the Caribbean and West Africa to the Indian sub-continent is seen in terms of the needs of the metropole, the narrower perspectives of settler societies, and the experiences of the colonised, the collaborators and the enslaved. Drawing on recent research, it demonstrates the fragility of British power in India, that the loss of North America was neither inevitable nor complete, and that the first Australian colony was a strategic investment rather than a dumping ground for convicts. Above all, it shows that the long, painful and often haphazard rise of this 'first' empire history is an essential key to modern British and world history.

About the Author
John Oliphant's previous publications include a groundbreaking biography of John Forbes. He has delivered talks and lectures on both side of the Atlantic.

Reviews
'John Oliphant manages to sustain an engaging narrative throughout the book, which is packed with surprising details, which I recommend to anyone with an interest in the history of the British empire.' -- The Writing Desk, October 2023
'Focussing on a vast topic, historian John Oliphant, nevertheless includes a wealth of detail. This is not a book that rewards the skim-reader, but for those taking the time it provides a large backdrop, upon which numerous chapters from history are narrated (giving rise to lots of 'Ahah - so that's how/where that fits in to history' moments).' -- Family Tree Magazine, December 2023
'This is a detailed and thorough, but very readable, account of the period. And what a time it was, especially for seafarers, as England's colonies were born from the exploits of explorers, anti-Catholic crusaders and pirates - and maintained against the odds.' -- Nautilus Telegraph, January/ February 2024. Book of the Month



Book Information
ISBN 9781445696805
Author John Oliphant
Format Hardback
Page Count 320
Imprint Amberley Publishing
Publisher Amberley Publishing
Weight(grams) 666g