Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
Inglorious Empire
- What the British Did to India
- Narrated by: Shashi Tharoor
- Length: 10 hrs and 33 mins
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
99p for the first 3 months
Buy Now for £12.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Summary
Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Inglorious Empire written and read by Shashi Tharoor.
In the eighteenth century, India's share of the world economy was as large as Europe's. By 1947, after two centuries of British rule, it had decreased six-fold. The Empire blew rebels from cannon, massacred unarmed protesters, entrenched institutionalised racism, and caused millions to die from starvation.
British imperialism justified itself as enlightened despotism for the benefit of the governed, but Shashi Tharoor takes demolishes this position, demonstrating how every supposed imperial 'gift' - from the railways to the rule of law - was designed in Britain's interests alone. He goes on to show how Britain's Industrial Revolution was founded on India's deindustrialisation, and the destruction of its textile industry.
In this bold and incisive reassessment of colonialism, Tharoor exposes to devastating effect the inglorious reality of Britain's stained Indian legacy.
Critic reviews
More from the same
Author
What listeners say about Inglorious Empire
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Rayman
- 14-04-22
Compulsory reading!
The cruel and amoral exploitation of British Colonialism exposed in a rigorous academic and fluent publication.
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
-
Performance
- Amazon Customer
- 04-11-20
Part of my family are from former colonies
facinating , Many angles covered , History does indeed get written by the victors ,
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Parul
- 24-11-22
Excellent and must read book if you really want o learn about British colonial history
A great book about British colonial history, even if you think you know about the topic. It covers atrocities and unfair practices that are conveniently not covered in British school curriculum and media.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- SK
- 29-10-21
If you dare to know the truth, here it is!
All my education on one side and what I have learnt through this book is on one side. After reading this, I feel ashamed that I haven’t learnt about this truth until now, and for living in a world of lies and cover-ups. I don’t think many of this is known by Today's youth of india and the value of the freedom we enjoy Today; the struggles our forefathers had to go through, and how their souls were crushed and humiliated for 200 years whilst the country being looted left right and centre. As Mr. Tharoor said, let us forgive, but not forget. This book should be part of the Indian education for sure.
After knowing all this, I am extremely proud of what India has achieved in just 70 years after rising from ashes since independence and very hopeful of what it can achieve in the coming years.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Harry Choudhury
- 19-01-22
The Satanic Satan's 👹 of our home planet:
These so called humans? of an island called GB,who took away the human aspect of their victims,so then the fundamental common bond between the abuser and the victim was not identifiable,were men who thought they were better humans,and ironically used this very identity to do the inhumane evil and heartless acts,for which I only have one adjective;Satanic! and thus it's following and belief carrys on to this day,the effects of Great Britain are seen in every corner of the globe,decent and respectful humans do not act in this way only arrogant conceited people with Satanic minds and souls,could only act in this way.🙏🤲
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Hemang Desai
- 06-10-19
soft on the previous inglorious empire
tharoors dissection of the British Empire is thorough, but he has gone soft on previous empires such as the Mughal because of his political slant.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Christina
- 09-10-22
The romanticised idea of British Empire addressed
Finally an honest book that crushes and highlights the brutality and soulless actions of the people of Britain.
A must read/ listen. Great delivery.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- ben slee
- 12-08-23
Magnificent from start to finish
A lucid, fluid and compelling argument for seeing the Raj as it actually was, not entirely inhumane but mostly so.
Tharoor, is agile enough to cover all the angles and narratives with the detail required for such a complex subject.
An invaluable addition to the current Debate.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Chet K
- 19-08-23
Good understanding of the Empire.
An excellent book for the colonized person to read and agree with points raised but very uncomfortable reading for the colonizer and they will find everything wrong with this book.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Ankur
- 03-12-18
Hard hitting and educational
I came across this author through various short media bites on social media and bring a Indian born and British raised adult in recent years I've wanted to learn about Indian history, moreso the years during the colonial past of India under the British. This is merely one perspective and factual account often referencing material from official British records I was traumatized by some of the revelations of the action s under British rule (no spoilers) make or it what you will by having a listen. The narrator is Shashi Tharoor for me I found it difficult to engage with his style but this may also be due to the fact the book is written from a analytical and referencing perspective so it maybe a better read than listen. However it's a great piece of literature and worth having in your collection.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
9 people found this helpful