The Politically Incorrect Guide to the British Empire

By: H. W. Crocker III

Narrated by: Ray Porter

Length: 11 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

Nothing offends liberals more than Western imperialism—it is racism, sexism, and chauvinism all in one. And of course the epitome of Western imperialism is the British Empire, the biggest empire the world has ever known, covering at its height a quarter of the globe’s surface and ruling a quarter of the world’s population. Here, best-selling author H. W. Crocker III exposes—in brawling, rambunctious style—how the British Empire was actually one of the greatest establishers and defenders of freedom in history.

So strap on your pith helmet for a rollicking ride through some of history’s most colorful events. The Politically Incorrect Guide to the British Empire provides a panoramic and provocative view of 400 years of history that will delight and amuse, educate and entertain.

Listen to more Politically Incorrect Guides.

©2011 H. W. Crocker III (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"As someone who grew up in India, I often hear people ask, ‘What have the British done for us?’ Until I read this book, I didn’t have the full answer.” (Dinesh D’Souza, New York Times best-selling author)

Refreshing Take on True History

This program was quite enjoyable. It’s overarching theme that the British Empire, when all is said and done, was, generally, a worthy endeavor was convincingly argued. Also, the author was perfectly forthright and fair in his summary of the many individuals that he covered, exposing their heroic deeds and devotional care of those they served and protected. He shows how of those that left the Empire and did not treasure and put into practice or maintain the governing style and moral code given by Britain sank into abject failed states.

Excellent book

It skips around from period to period but still flows very well. Refreshing read without just being propaganda.

An excellent history

This book is an excellent history of the Brirish Empire. The world we know today owes a great deal to the British. The book tells this history by highlighting a variety of characters who were unique, talented, and sometimes controversial. It is refreshing to hear a history that is not filled with modern whining about the past.

There is a great deal in this book that one cannot find taught in schools.

Highly entertaining avalanche of lies

Mass murder, racisism and imperialist exploitation sugar coated and decorously obscured for popular consumption. Jolly good show. Pax Britannia? Savor mass murder as embodied by lopsided body counts. Terrifying and terrible imperial terrorism glossed over. A fascinating teeth bearing saber rattling celebration of centuries of racist state terror, murder, torture and oppression. Any well informed person can see through the author's stunning compendium of deadly lies. If you enjoy stunning narcissism and nativism this book will stroke your ego. A pleasant and enjoyable feel good discription par excellence of banality and stupifying evil couched in varnished and burnished bald faced manipulative lies. Nice. Enjoy!

An informative primer on the British Empire

Challenging common assumptions about the origins, methods and consequences of the British Empire, this primer argues that most nations benefited from British rule. How would the world look like today if the British Empire never existed?

Then the book briefly compares the British, Spanish, French, Russian, and German imperial practices. It appears that being ruled by the British was more humane. Individual rights matter more. Religious tolerance and economic development are far more common. The author argues that the British Commonwealth provides far better governance than the typical UN member state.

Yet the author’s principal method of historical narrative focuses on prominent British leaders, spies, and military commanders across the centuries. The thumbnail biographies often transform dry facts into compelling glimpses into influential lives: Henry Hudson, Captain Cook, Francis Drake, George Washington, Sir Richard Francis Burton, General Gordon, T.E.Lawrence, and Winston Churchill, The sympathetic portrayal of some other British figures reflects a nostalgic ethos.

This book - like the more popular, once revisionist accounts - works better at complicated one-dimensional narratives. It reminds 21st readers of some often forgotten facts and provides additional context to contemporary, multiculturalist versions.

This niche account also helps explain both the spread of democratic values and the rarity of good governance in many nations today. The British Empire set the stage, in this version of history, for a more democratic, idealistic American empire.

How long will this latest English speaking era last? Would a new Chinese empire be as humane as the British Empire? Shall we ask the residents of (and exiles from) Hong Kong?

I strongly recommend this Audible recording as a supplement, not primary, source on the British Empire.

A Swashbucklers' Guide to the British Empire

Unlike other books in the "Politically incorrect" series, Porter fails to present a coherent argument against the "politically correct" position on the issue. Rather; what is portrayed is a series of biographies of heroic pro Empire adventurers. Entertaining however this may be, the same could be done for many a despotic Empire.
Many questions remain: Was it worth it? Did it help or tyranise the locals? On net was the Empire a profitable expence of British blood and treasure? Was the Empire an integral part of British success or should one focus on religion, culture and philosophy?
This book disguards historical analysis favouring dastardly tails of bravado to trigger the Libs.

Awe inspiring

By the end, I lamented both the end of the book and the fall of the British Empire!

While this is not a white-washing of the history of Britain, it is a tale seldom told of the rose, glory, and recession of the greatest empire in the history of man.

You disagree? I challenge you to listen to the tale of this book with a truthful heart and not form a similar conclusion.

Every Briton should be proud of the legacy of Great Britain

While not perfect, the British empire was a force for good in the world. It stamped out the African slave trade and spread democracy throughout the world. Everyone of British ancestry should be proud of their legacy!

Accurate

Very well done, the author did a great job at dispelling the slander which has been heaped onto England

Definitely Not Politically Correct

I quite liked the book, which challenged the notion that the British Empire was a bad thing from beginning to end. Crocker could have made a stronger case if he had either not focused so much on the biographies of individual imperialists or if he had better explained the importance of those whose bios he covered.