By Victor Gordon Kiernan
Published: 1982
An extraordinarily wide-ranging book which brings within a single view the wars which created Europe's empires. Beginning with the post-Napoleonic era, it presents all the major episodes of an often dramatic story in which the military agents of European imperialism met the peoples of the rest of the world in armed conflict. Brilliant sketches of far-off battles and campaigns are interwoven with the changing balance of economic and political power, until the colonial liberation movements turned the tables in the aftermath of the Second World War.
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Victor Gordon Kiernan (1909-2009) was a distinguished Scottish historian, political pamphleteer, and author known for his analytical perspective on global politics and history. He gained prominence for his works that explored colonialism, imperialism, and the intricate dynamics of power within societies. Among his notable works are 'The Lords of the Isles: A History of the Clan MacDonald', 'The History of the Scottish Highlands', and 'The Marxist Study of History'. Kiernan's writing style is characterized by its clarity, incisive critique, and deep engagement with historical context, making complex concepts accessible to a broad audience. His contributions have left a significant imprint on 20th-century historiography.
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