--- product_id: 350095823 title: "The British Empire: A Very Short Introduction" price: "A$25" currency: AUD in_stock: true reviews_count: 5 url: https://www.desertcart.com.au/products/350095823-the-british-empire-a-very-short-introduction store_origin: AU region: Australia --- # Global empire scope Concise 144-page deep dive Covers 18th century to 1950s The British Empire: A Very Short Introduction **Price:** A$25 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 🌍 Unlock the empire’s secrets in one powerful pocket read! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** The British Empire: A Very Short Introduction - **How much does it cost?** A$25 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.com.au](https://www.desertcart.com.au/products/350095823-the-british-empire-a-very-short-introduction) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Critical Insights:** Unpack economic, cultural, and political legacies with clarity - • **Expert Authorship:** Ashley Jackson’s authoritative voice guides your understanding - • **Global Perspective:** Explore the vast reach from tiny islands to continental empires - • **Compact yet Comprehensive:** 144 pages of expertly distilled history for busy minds - • **Perfect for Professionals:** Ideal quick-read for managers craving historical context and global awareness ## Overview This used copy of 'The British Empire: A Very Short Introduction' offers a concise, authoritative overview of the British Empire’s rise, governance, and lasting global impact. Spanning from the 18th century to the 1950s, Ashley Jackson’s expert narrative distills complex history into an accessible 144-page format, perfect for professionals seeking quick yet profound insights into one of history’s largest political entities. ## Description From the eighteenth century until the 1950s the British Empire was the biggest political entity in the world. The territories forming this empire ranged from tiny islands to vast segments of the world's major continental land masses. The British Empire left its mark on the world in a multitude of ways, many of them permanent. In this Very Short Introduction, Ashley Jackson introduces and defines the British Empire, reviewing its historiography by answering a series of key questions: What was the British Empire, and what were its main constituent parts? What were the phases of imperial expansion and contraction and the general causes of expansion and contraction? How was the Empire ruled? What were its economic effects? What were the cultural implications of empire, in Britain and its colonies? What was life like for people living under imperial rule? What are the legacies of the British Empire and how should we view its place in world history? ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable. Review: Trash - Is already in the bin. Paid for historical facts. Got a sub-sixth form rant about how baaad the empire was. Review: Bien - Grande aide lorsque l'on fait des études en civilisation ## Features - Used Book in Good Condition ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #81,492 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #750 in History of Europe #889 in World History #9,155 in Higher & Continuing Education Textbooks | | Customer Reviews | 4.5 out of 5 stars 196 Reviews | ## Images ![The British Empire: A Very Short Introduction - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81nu9nHnSpL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐ Trash *by E***A on 21 December 2022* Is already in the bin. Paid for historical facts. Got a sub-sixth form rant about how baaad the empire was. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Bien *by C***E on 31 March 2023* Grande aide lorsque l'on fait des études en civilisation ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ A fine overview and critique of the British Empire *by J***O on 5 November 2024* I recommend "The British Empire: A Very Short Introduction." I read it as a complement to "The Oxford Illustrated History of Britain," which is too internally focused (if that's even possible when it comes to the history of Britain) and whose chapters are sold as other books in the Very Short Introduction series. I think "The British Empire: A Very Short Introduction" provides a fine overview of one of the most fascinating aspects of the history of Britain. In my view, its main shortcoming is the quality of its text. It's full of unnecessarily long and complex sentences to the point of impairing the reading flow sometimes. It could have been better polished, and that's why I didn't give the book five stars. That said, contrary to other reviews I've seen here, I think that the text does provide a relatively balanced account of the British Empire up to its fifth chapter. In that chapter, the author makes his critical view on the subject explicit. As he himself recognized, he opened a hornet's nest by doing this. We can naturally discuss whether it was up to a historian to pass judgment on the phenomena he/she was studying. Nevertheless, I personally think that he articulates his critique very well and makes some fine points. Even so, it's his view; it doesn't need to be yours. So, if you have no problem reading opinions that don't match yours, you can give this book a chance. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.com.au/products/350095823-the-british-empire-a-very-short-introduction](https://www.desertcart.com.au/products/350095823-the-british-empire-a-very-short-introduction) --- *Product available on Desertcart Australia* *Store origin: AU* *Last updated: 2026-10-25*