‘As for Dr Porter’s study, this reviewer found it one of the most captivating pieces he had read for a long time: his book abounds in wit, is studded with brief but telling phrases, and reveals an unerring eye for the relevant fact and apposite quotation’. Paul Kennedy, The Historical Journal ‘An extremely well-written, cleverly constructed book’ Andrew Porter, Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History ‘The book is still the best short study of its subject…Some will doubtless treat it as a textbook: and it is indeed full of accurate information, telling phrases and aptly-deployed quotations, all presented in a very lively and readable manner. In fact, it is a clear, coherent and well substantiated interpretation…’ Iain R. Smith Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History ‘A most valuable key to modern British colonial history. From this gripping and lucid exposition, we may gather an understanding not only of the initial intricacies of colonial problems…but of their alarming legacies.’ Gerard Douds, History Today This lively, original and authoritative history of British imperialism from its Victorian heyday to present times has been a favourite for some years. For this 4th edition it has been thoroughly revised and updated, with a new and expansive introduction exploring the problems and historiography of ‘imperialism’ generally, and an additional final chapter taking the story through to the ¿new imperialism¿ of the early 21st century. Other new features are a chronology of events, an updatedbibliography, and a section of plates illustrating various aspects of empire and imperialism. Bernard Porter is Emeritus Professor of History, University of Newcastle. He has published extensively in the areas of British imperial, foreign and security service history, including The Absent Minded Imperialists: Empire,Culture and Society (2004).