Empireland

Sathnam Sanghera

A lot of the bad/questionable things that have happened in the last 100/200 years can always be related back to empire some way or another. Some of the stories in this book from when India was occupied are horrific, and christ the Koh-i-Noor Diamond story... if you're reading this google it, my god. Interesting discussions r.e stolen artifacts in the British museum and should they be returned. I feel like the author should be clearer though in stating that he predominantly means England and not Britain, as the empire was an English invention and mostly benefited England. Taking Wales as an example, Wales itself was not only colonised earlier in the century, and treated as a colonial possession throughout. Capel Celig (a Welsh language village), was flooded to make a reservoir to serve the needs of Liverpool. Welsh Not another example (Google it). I learnt quite alot regarding empire and the echos that are still being heard today in 2021. I think I will pick up another book on the empire at somepoint to learn more about it.