I was also keen to read it as I have always lived in pretty WASPish regions, currently in a small Cotswold village whose village school has been criticised by OFSTED for not being more multicultural - challenging when the local community is by nature monocultural because there simply are no immigrants or British citizens of foreign descent. I am one of the lucky few who studied imperialism at school (I took a module in nationalism and neonationalism as former colonies regained their freedom as part of my history course for the International Baccalaureat), which was a helpful starting point, but this book took me back to the beginning of Empire and on a journey through to the present day, and gave me a broader perspective on both the past and the way forward. I bought this book after reading an article about it by the author in The Times and thought it would be a constructive way to help me consider current thinking about racism in modern Britain, rather than just about our imperial history. _ ' Empireland takes a perfectly-judged approach to its contentious but necessary subject' Jonathan Coe 'I only wish this book has been around when I was at school' Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London 'This remarkable book shines the brightest of lights into some of the darkest and most misunderstood corners of our shared history' James O'Brien

At a time of great division, when we are arguing about what it means to be British, Empireland is a groundbreaking revelation - a much-needed and enlightening portrait of contemporary British society, shining a light on everything that usually gets left unsaid. In his bestselling book, Sathnam Sanghera shows how our imperial past is everywhere: from how we live and think to the foundation of the NHS and even our response to the COVID-19 crisis. Strangely hidden from view, the British Empire remains a subject of both shame and glorification.

EMPIRE explains Britain's particular brand of racism. EMPIRE explains our distrust of cleverness.

EMPIRE explains Brexit and the feeling that we are exceptional.

***FEATURING UPDATED AND NEW MATERIAL*** ***THE BOOK THAT INSPIRED THE CHANNEL 4 DOCUMENTARY 'EMPIRE STATE OF MIND'*** THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'The real remedy is education of the kind that Sanghera has embraced - accepting, not ignoring, the past' Gerard deGroot, The Times _ EMPIRE explains why there are millions of Britons living worldwide.

Amazon empireland