Empire Without End: A New History of Britain and the Caribbean

by Imaobong Umoren

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.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Audiobook

512 pages, Hardcover

First published June 5, 2025

Reviews

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book explores the history and impact of Great Britain’s Caribbean colonization and slavery. I was more interested in the history than I was in the many, many examples of how racism persists. Frankly, if people don’t recognize that by now, they never will. But if you want details, this book is for you.

“…the legacies of hereditary racial slavery not only lingered long after its official end, but have financially implicated millions of people, in this case, indirectly and for many, unknowingly.” Until 2015, Great Britain was still paying off the debt incurred in 1833 to pay reparations to slave owners. So all British taxpayers were paying part of that debt. Including descendants of the formerly enslaved. At the same time, an apprenticeship system was created. The formerly enslaved not only did not get reparations, but as apprentices they were required to work without pay for 45 hours a week. Beyond those hours, they were to receive pay. The apprenticeship period lasted from 4 to 6 years. Some found their treatment even harsher than it was before. irony?

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

[Miles Row · Rating 4 out of 5]

A reasonably good introduction but not sure what makes it a new history as a lot of stuff I had come across before.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this fascinating new history book about the shared history between Britain, the Caribbean, and the Americas, Imaobong Umoren introduces readers to this complex historical relationship over five centuries (the 16th century to the present day) to redefine the nature of this imperial power structure. Looking at how the Caribbean shaped British social ideas and the racial caste system that still impacts various socioeconomic and political dynamics, the book goes beyond the economic focuses of books about the colonial Caribbean to look at the roles religion, migration, war, protest, and tourism played in both the historical and contemporary narratives. A brilliantly researched and comprehensive analysis of this evolving geographic relationship, readers will love the depth of detail and fascinating argument that Umoren offers. The archival work and various source materials allow readers to really look into the basis of her argument and track its evolution over centuries, and Umoren does a great job integrating her sources into her argument. Well-written, detailed, and informative, this is a brilliant and comprehensive look at Caribbean history and the colonial, imperial, and neocolonial relationship with Great Britain at a variety of levels, and Umoren has done an incredible job creating an informative and accessible narrative for readers.

Thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for the advance copy.

[Jifu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imaobong Umoren has crafted a top notch history here. Meatily informative, in-depth, exposes a topic that genuinely has never crossed my mind on my own before - and on top of that, it's also presented in an incredibly readable format. I know that when it comes to writing histories on any topic, it's quite a tightrope act trying to find the fine line being approachable and informative. It's all too easy to end up being too shallow by leaning towards the former, or becoming too dense by leaning too hard into the latter. Umoren however pulls off that balance fantastically - although there was so much to impart, it was all presented so digestibly. I fell into it immediately, and was happily absorbed for most of a weekend.

Empire without End is an all-around great experience for those with any interest in the Caribbean, the British Empire, and most of all, those who just enjoy a great history book.

[Madeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book too a lot of time for me. I really needed to be thoughtful in my reading and really digest the information, but I would highly recommend it to anyone. I thought it was especially timely this year with the hurricane devastation to Jamaica; I thought a lot about the state in which British imperialism has left the Caribbean. And while the book is about the Caribbean and Britain, the same legacy left by imperialism and slavery has to be understood to truly comprehend the history and culture of the United States. Again, I highly recommend it to anyone.

[gaverne Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the history we have all been historically waiting for! Read it and learn about the history of the world we all live in.