Pax Britannica

I am a relative newcomer to the delights of Ms Morris' writing, but this trilogy surely is her tour de force. This is no sterile collection of data, but vibrant storytelling of the players who created the British empire, and later presided over its decline. I wish history books had been like this when I was at school! Though this work is not written from the perspective of extolling the infallibility of the projection of British power over nations wherever its' Navy dropped anchor, one does get the impression that on the whole that the author considers empire wasn't entirely a bad thing. A refreshing and candid look at the evolution of the worlds largest empire, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I must add a complimentary acknowledgement of the superb service received from the vendor, Pembury's. This is a slipcased collection and was shipped to my US home, where it arrived as predicted and in perfect condition thanks to the excellence of the packaging.

Superb series about the British Empire, warts and all. Brilliantly written, perceptive, detailed, non-judgmental, a breath of fresh in these politically blind anti-colonial times.

I endorse the words of reviewers who've gone before me. I am reading it in the kindle edition. No pictures, except the ones James Morris creates. it was written quite a long time ago so there are some things in the light of more recent history would now be seen as incorrect. I found the opening a bit breathless, the description of the jubilee parade. However he is really excellent at creating images and atmosphere. His gentle critique of the complexities of colonialism work well. I read Venice when travelling alone in Venice 20 years ago. The mix of history, social history, geography, the sense of place etc was perfect.Am writing this review re James Morris as that's who she was when Pax Britannica was written. It is a wonderful resource for my family history researches set as they are in British India, Australia and Victorian Britain. excellent.

Beautifully crafted, researched and written. The absence of any of the usual British jingoism is truly refreshing.

Wow, can this guy write or what? Absolutely lyrical. The language here is even better than in the first book of the trilogy. Strongly recommend.

This book focuses not only on the actions of history, but the aesthetics as well. It colorfully illustrates the lives of the "Imperial pioneers"; Kitchener, Rhodes, Churchill, Livingston and many more. It also covers the grandest moments of Imperial history- the beginnings of the mercantile empire in Asia, to the moral thrusts in Africa and the Carribean. It is part of a tryptich set, which includes "Heaven' Command" and "Sound of the Trumpets" Though thorough, the book is never preachy.

Very good condition for the age of the book.

I bought the trilogy in 1984 and have re-read it every year since then. Morris's attention to the finest details is amazing! I especially love the footnotes that provide further details to the cast of characters or updates on places, bulidings or sites as they are today. Jan's travel writing background especially evokes the visceral, from the bright colors, smells even the humidity of far flung places.Its the only series you will ever need to read on the British Empire!