How Britain began to rule the waves
The First British Empire: Global Expansion in the Early Modern Age, by John Oliphant
Historians divide Britain's imperial past into two periods, with the first – an Atlantic dominion including the Caribbean and North American colonies – coming to an end due to American independence. After this, the country needed to rebuild its fortunes by expanding into markets and territories in Asia.
With the British Empire now a popular target for culture wars and 'cancel culture' (replacing the old national mythologising), this new book has been written with the stated goal of approaching the era with accuracy, nuance, and balance. To this end, it presents a variety of perspectives on the empire, including its impact on colonised peoples as well as the motivations and effects on those at home.
This is a detailed and thorough, but very readable, account of the period. And what a time it was, especially for seafarers, as England's colonies were born from the exploits of explorers, anti-Catholic crusaders and pirates – and maintained against the odds. Although not a maritime book per se – it has a more intense focus on politics, economics, social change and war – this time in British history cannot be understood without full consideration of the sea, so there's plenty here for those readers who have a particular interest in our maritime past.
The First British Empire: Global Expansion in the Early Modern Age
By John Oliphant
Amberley Publishing, £22.99
ISBN: 978 14456 96805
Buy this book in the Nautilus Bookshop
While you're there, why not browse the rest of the titles in our unique maritime bookshop, which sells all the books reviewed on these pages.
Buy nowMore Books
Unexpected family fallout from the Titanic disaster
Titanic Legacy, by Dan E. ParkesDan Parkes, a filmmaker known for his 40 years of award-winning work on the Titanic, brings a different story to life in his first book, which explores the legacy of the disaster for the family of Captain Edward Smith – a member of the Nautilus predecessor union MMSA.
When the Merchant Navy goes to war
The QE2 in the Falklands War, by Commodore Ronald Warwick and David HumphreysWhen the Cunard liner Queen Elizabeth 2 became a STUFT (ship taken up from trade) in the 1982 Falklands War, the vessel's civilian crew were up for the challenge.
Crowning the latest Queen
Queen Anne: A Photographic Journey, by Chris Frame and Rachelle CrossThis glossy title celebrates the launch in May 2024 of the Queen Anne, Cunard's second largest ship, and the eighth 'Queen' in its fleet of luxury passenger vessels.
Passenger liners at their peak
The True Transatlantic Super-Liners, by David L. Williams and Richard P. De KerbrechThis captivating book transports the reader to a world before the advent of affordable air travel, when passenger liners ruled the Atlantic Ocean.