With the return of Hong Kong to the Chinese government in 1997; the empire that had lasted three hundred years and upon which the sun never set loosened its hold on the world and slipped into history. But the question of how we understand the British Empire--its origins; nature; purpose; and effect on the world it ruled--is far from settled. In this incisive new work; already being hailed as a landmark; David Cannadine looks at the British Empire from a new perspective--through the eyes of those who created and ruled it--and offers fresh insight into the driving forces behind the Empire. Arguing against the views of Edward Said and others; Cannadine suggests that the British were motivated not by race but by class. The British wanted to domesticate the exotic world of their colonies and to reorder the societies they ruled according to an idealized image of their own class hierarchies. In reestablishing the connections between British society and colonial society; Cannadine shows that Imperialists loathed Indians and Africans no more nor less than they loathed the great majority of Englishmen and were far more willing to work with maharajahs; kings; and chiefs of whatever race than with "sordid" white settlers. Revolted by the triumph of democracy in Britain itself; the Empire's rulers embraced a feudal vision of the colonies which successfully endured until the 1950s. Written with verve; clarity; and wit--and characterized throughout by highly original thinking--Ornamentalism will fundamentally alter the way we view the British Empire.
#2777377 in Books Ennis Barrington Edmonds 2002-12-26Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 6.20 x 1.00 x 9.10l; .96 #File Name: 0195133765208 pagesRastafari From Outcasts to Culture Bearers
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Thorough treatmentBy D. V. PalmerRastafari: From Outcasts to Culture Bearers. New York: Oxford University Press; 1993. (Pp. x -194). By Ennis Barrington Edmonds.The publication of Rastafari represents the author's maturing views on the birth and development of a powerful religious movement from the Majority World-a movement regarded by some as the only major religion having its genesis in the 20th century. Here we learn of the humble beginning of the movement in the 1930s; its consolidation in the following two decades; its flowering in the 70s and 80s and of its global impact particularly in the final decade of the last century.In seven chapters; Edmonds successfully argues his thesis that the entrenchment of Rastafari was made possible by ` (1) the internal development of the movement; (2) the gradual rapprochement between the movement and the wider society; and (3) the impact of Rastafari on the evolution of Jamaica's indigenous popular culture' (p.4). The appendix; " A Review of the Literature on Rastafari;" significantly updates the material found in the dissertation. One notices too that the writer has carried out his sociological analysis so rigorously that there is little or no evaluation of the theological and historical claims of Rastafari. For example; whereas others of pointed out the lack of documentary evidence for the Garvey prophecy concerning the crowning of Ras Tafari; Edmonds appears prepared to defend the prediction by invoking the reliability of the oral tradition that bears it (p. 147 n.34). Edmonds is also optimistic that the movement has a bright future but also observes that "during the decade of the 1990s several notable Rastas; including Tommy Cowan and Judy Mowatt (of the I/Threes [sic]); converted to evangelical Christianity. This defection raises further questions about the possible demise of Rastafari.'" In fact; Ms. Mowatt; in an interview on Jamaica's CVM TV; even claims that the late Robert Nesta Marley made a deathbed profession of faith. A similar testimony is to be found in Hannah's book (p. 62). Interestingly; Marley's mother; turned biographer (Bob Marley: An Intimate Portrait); was a Christian before she was converted to the Rastafari by her famous `Jam-icon' son.I have noticed just a single typo; something looking like an e-mail address on page 49: ` the lying. Preacher.' All in all; Rastafari is recommended as one of the most up-to-date and balanced treatments by a non-Rasta. For the student and scholar in particular; it should be read alongside Dr. Ikael Tafari's monograph; Rastafari in Transition; also from a sociological perspective.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. as description.By Noelmy parents need it; Love this product! It's a gem! I never realized cutting veggies could be so easy. Disclaimer I've never had nice knives before so I'm not sure what I'm comparing it to. I just know I'm happy! These are so great! just fine; low price and high quality.
