Introduction
-
Stuart Ward
Abstract
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book offers an overview of the persistence of imperialism in popular culture in the post-1945 era. It examines the remarkable coincidence of the coronation and the conquest of Everest, an event that became heavily imbued with late imperial hubris. The book also examines the ways in which Britain's steadily dwindling imperial power was mirrored by the demise of English cricket. It also offers an entirely different perspective on the culture of imperial decline, namely that of popular children's literature. The book explores the nostalgic trail of post-imperial British travellers. It looks at one of the undisputed enduring legacies of empire: the migration of British subjects to and from the British Isles. The book also looks at the theme of 'India in Britain' in a different context.
Abstract
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book offers an overview of the persistence of imperialism in popular culture in the post-1945 era. It examines the remarkable coincidence of the coronation and the conquest of Everest, an event that became heavily imbued with late imperial hubris. The book also examines the ways in which Britain's steadily dwindling imperial power was mirrored by the demise of English cricket. It also offers an entirely different perspective on the culture of imperial decline, namely that of popular children's literature. The book explores the nostalgic trail of post-imperial British travellers. It looks at one of the undisputed enduring legacies of empire: the migration of British subjects to and from the British Isles. The book also looks at the theme of 'India in Britain' in a different context.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- General editor’s introduction vi
- Notes on contributors viii
- Acknowledgements xi
- Introduction 1
- 1 The persistence of empire in metropolitan culture 21
- 2 Empire loyalists and ‘Commonwealth men’ 37
- 3 Coronation Everest 57
- 4 Look back at empire 73
- 5 ‘No nation could be broker’ 91
- 6 The imperial game in crisis 111
- 7 Imperial heroes for a post-imperial age 128
- 8 Imperial legacies, new frontiers 145
- 9 Wandering in the wake of empire 163
- 10 Communities of Britishness 180
- 11 South Asians in post-imperial Britain 200
- 12 India, Inc.? 217
- Index 233
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- General editor’s introduction vi
- Notes on contributors viii
- Acknowledgements xi
- Introduction 1
- 1 The persistence of empire in metropolitan culture 21
- 2 Empire loyalists and ‘Commonwealth men’ 37
- 3 Coronation Everest 57
- 4 Look back at empire 73
- 5 ‘No nation could be broker’ 91
- 6 The imperial game in crisis 111
- 7 Imperial heroes for a post-imperial age 128
- 8 Imperial legacies, new frontiers 145
- 9 Wandering in the wake of empire 163
- 10 Communities of Britishness 180
- 11 South Asians in post-imperial Britain 200
- 12 India, Inc.? 217
- Index 233
