The Rise and Fall of the British Empire cover art

The Rise and Fall of the British Empire

Preview

£0.00 for first 30 days

Try for £0.00
Thousands of incredible audiobooks and podcasts to take wherever you go.
Immerse yourself in a world of storytelling with the Plus Catalogue - unlimited listening to thousands of select audiobooks, podcasts and Audible Originals.
£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

The Rise and Fall of the British Empire

By: Patrick N. Allitt, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Patrick N. Allitt
Try for £0.00

£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically.

Buy Now for £30.99

Buy Now for £30.99

Confirm Purchase
Pay using card ending in
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Please see our Privacy Notice, Cookies Notice and Interest-based Ads Notice.
Cancel

About this listen

What were the forces that thrust the British Empire to its extraordinary position of greatness and then just as powerfully drove it into decline? And why is nearly every nation on earth, in one way or another, the consequence of the British Empire?

In these 36 lectures, Professor Allitt leads you through four centuries of British power, innovation, influence, and, ultimately, diminishment - four profound centuries that literally remade the world and bequeathed the complex global legacy that continues to shape your everyday life. This is a remarkable lecture series; one that will give you fresh insights into world history in a wide range of areas - political, economic, technological, social, and more. And it will also give you a comprehensive overview you won't find offered anywhere else - a context into which you can integrate new knowledge about this country, as well as understand the background of current events in so many other countries that were once part of Britain's empire, from Ireland to China, and in Africa and the Caribbean. Indeed, it seems fair to say that one cannot truly understand the most important aspects of world history without a firm grasp of the history of the British Empire. In giving you that grasp, these lectures draw on a vast range of critical events, riveting personalities, revealing anecdotes, and eloquent quotations.

Compelling, comprehensive, and astonishing in the force of its narrative power, each lecture will give you a refreshing new understanding of what made the British Empire both great in its achievements and vulnerable to its eventual downfall.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2009 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2009 The Great Courses
Europe United States Thought-Provoking Imperialism
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Listeners also enjoyed...

The American Civil War cover art
The Ethics of Aristotle cover art
England: From the Fall of Rome to the Norman Conquest cover art
The Other Side of History: Daily Life in the Ancient World cover art
Thinking Like an Economist: A Guide to Rational Decision Making cover art
The Italians before Italy: Conflict and Competition in the Mediterranean cover art
How the Earth Works cover art
1066: The Year That Changed Everything cover art
The Great Ideas of Philosophy, 2nd Edition cover art
Elements of Jazz: From Cakewalks to Fusion cover art
The Foundations of Western Civilization cover art
Macroeconomics Made Clear cover art
The Roman Empire: From Augustus to the Fall of Rome cover art
Understanding the Old Testament cover art
Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World cover art
The History of the Ancient World cover art

Editor reviews

The Rise and Fall of the British Empire written by The Great Courses, is a historical audiobook expertly narrated by Professor Patrick N. Allitt, who takes listeners on an astounding journey through the history of an Empire that shaped the way for the modern world. The reach of the Empire was colossal, its unwavering strength lasted centuries. You will learn more of the notable figures, battles and achievements of this vast superpower. A lecture not to be missed for anyone studying or fascinated by modern history. Available now from Audible.

What listeners say about The Rise and Fall of the British Empire

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    468
  • 4 Stars
    153
  • 3 Stars
    42
  • 2 Stars
    14
  • 1 Stars
    9
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    414
  • 4 Stars
    127
  • 3 Stars
    37
  • 2 Stars
    15
  • 1 Stars
    6
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    427
  • 4 Stars
    122
  • 3 Stars
    30
  • 2 Stars
    9
  • 1 Stars
    7

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A balanced history of the British Empire

I would very much recommend this balanced tour of the history of the British empire. The lecturer, who is the voice double of Alan Partridge (which makes the course even more listenable), is very knowledgeable, engaging, and insightful.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Overview

As others have pointed out, Professor Allitt's accent bears an uncanny resemblance to Alan Partridge. However, that shouldn't put you off listening to this excellent lecture series. It provides a balanced overview of the British Empire. As an Irishman, I was particularly interested in how he dealt with Ireland and he did so sympathetically and fairly. All in all, the lectures are well worth listening to.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic. A great listen for all!

All British descended peoples and those in former occupied administered colonies should listen. The Lecturer is very good, the material is very concise and interesting. My only wish following this book is that the final 4 chapters would get an update now we've attempted to liberate ourselves from Europe.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great way to learn a significant amount of history

The author is clearly a master of his trade. The course is put together as a series of lectures that fit and cross reference nicely. I really enjoyed learning how many historical things had happened and feel this has improved my knowledge. Each lecture is kept at a pretty high level and it is all easy to follow. Great for very long journeys.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great little listen

Comprehensive and thorough especially given the time restrictions. Not overly verbose. The basics beyond the history are conveyed without prejudice and are clear for anyone to grasp. A great lecture series for history buffs and casual listeners alike

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding!

Learned, witty and informative. Great pace throughout. Absolutely charming and engaging narrator! Can't recommend highly enough.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

So interesting and really nice pace

I grew up in England and our education in the British empire was practically non existent so this audiobook was so interesting and helpful in helping me tie together all the parts of history that lead to what I experience today.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fair and to the point

Very informative, thorough and fair, showing the good and the bad of the British Empire.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

<br />An unbiased and entertaining lecture!

As a person who has always been fascinated with the empire it was educational and thoroughly enjoyable experience, I would recommend to anyone who wants to have a more in depth understanding of the British Empire and the British take on Imperialism.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Alan Partridge makes this audio book a must listen

Fascinating lecture, good for giving a good understanding and background of the British Empire, the reader sounds like Alan Partridge which is the icing on the cake for me.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!