Empire Without End - by Imaobong Umoren (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A powerful, groundbreaking new history of Britain and the Caribbean, challenging existing thinking about British colonization and recontextualizing the twin stories of contemporary inequality in both regions.

In Empire Without End, historian Imaobong Umoren delivers an incisive and captivating exploration of the deep, complex ties between Britain and the Caribbean--largely underexamined until now. Spanning from the 16th century to the present, this riveting narrative redefines how we view the Caribbean--not just as a source of labor and resources for the British Empire, but as a dynamic testing ground for social and cultural experimentation. Umoren uncovers how the Caribbean shaped British societal ideals, many of which were exported back to Britain, laying the foundation for a racial-caste system that still affects social, political, and economic life today.

This deeply researched work goes beyond historical accounts of sugar plantations and slavery. Umoren dives deeper, exploring how religion, global migration, war, grassroots protest, and even tourism all played into the Caribbean's lasting legacy. She boldly connects the dots to modern-day issues, arguing that the shadow of British colonization lingers through neo-colonialism, continuing to shape the lives of Caribbean people. As the world confronts a collective racial reckoning, Empire Without End sheds light on the ongoing fight for reparations and justice, offering a much-needed lens on history's unfinished business.

Written with clarity and packed with profound insights, Empire Without End is a must-read for anyone curious about the intertwined histories of Britain, the Caribbean, and America. Joining the ranks of acclaimed historical titles like Black Ghosts of Empire and works by Ta-Nehisi Coates, this book provides a fresh, urgent perspective on empire's enduring impact and the global conversation it demands today.

Review Quotes

"Gracefully and insightfully, Empire Without End demonstrates the profound interconnectedness of the contemporary world: the ways in which Britian was made, and the Caribbean unmade, and how politics and culture were profoundly shaped in very different societies. Anyone seeking to understand the upsurge of racial imperialism in our own time cannot afford to miss it."
--Pankaj Mishra, author of The World After Gaza

"This book carefully places today's racial injustice where it belongs--in the context of a richly told, unending history of Empire from which we cannot turn away."
--Afua Hirsch, author of Decolonizing My Body

"A very powerful account of the entanglements between Britain and the Caribbean, from the moment that planters first appreciated the profits they could make from sugar and slavery to Black Lives Matter and the backlash against it."
--Alan Lester, author of The Truth About Empire

About the Author

Imaobong Umoren is a historian of racism, women and gender in the Caribbean, Britain, and wider African diaspora. She is an Associate Professor at the London School of Economics and Political Science.