We Need To Talk About The British Empire

by Afua Hirsch

Making sense of the British Empire's legacy... through the stories of people who lived through it....

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Audiobook, Politics, Historical

Unknown Binding

About the author

Afua Hirsch is a British writer and broadcaster. She has worked as a journalist for The Guardian newspaper, and was the Social Affairs and Education Editor for Sky News from 2014 until 2017. She is the author of the 2018 book Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging, receiving a Jerwood Award while writing it.

Reviews

[KOMET · Rating 4 out of 5]

Several years ago, I had the pleasure of reading Lawrence James' magisterial book "The Rise and Fall of the British Empire", which encapsulated for me the history of one of the world's great empires.

Afua Hirsch, a British journalist of Guyanese/Ghanaian descent, through her audiobook "We Need to Talk about the British Empire" presents the listener with 6 different perspectives from people whose families through the generations were either subjects of the Empire or had worked for the Empire. What these people had to say shows that the legacy of the British Empire is, in toto, a mixed bag. I was struck by the remarks made by singer-songwriter Emma-Lee Moss, who had been born in Hong Kong in the 1980s (when it was still a British colony) and moved with her family to Britain a few years before Hong Kong was handed over to China in 1997. She presented to me a view of life in Hong Kong under British rule in her lifetime and in the lifetimes of her parents that didn't exactly fit the commonly held view of relationships between colonizer and subject peoples. It brought to mind my memories of democratic changes that were put into place in Hong Kong under its last Governor, Lord Chris Patten, in the waning years of his tenure.

I concede that there will be some people who were instilled with the triumphalist perspectives of the British Empire who will likely take issue -- if not umbrage --- with the views expressed in this audiobook by the 6 respondents. Yet, I think that the views expressed in this audiobook should be listened to and quietly considered.

History is about people. And the more we grow in understanding of what people - in various strata of society across time - have done in thought and action, the better we will understand how we have come to be what we are today.

[Dan Patmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most popular reviews at the point I downloaded this were ridiculous. Afua Hirsch makes it perfectly clear what she is and isn't representing and why.

At no point is it the attack some claim it to be, she simply collects stories and poses questions to the listener to determine their view.

Those who felt attacked or angry and confused by listening to this should ask themselves why. Why is it a problem for someone to pose critique on empire? Why does it make them uncomfortable to hear someone else's experience?

I, as a product of the education system in the United Kingdom in which I never learnt anything meaningful about the empire am grateful to hear more stories about it's impact to individuals and nations around the world

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

The British Empire and it's legacy as told by those that have been touched by it! Once controlling almost a quarter of the globe, it is often portrayed through 'rose-tinted glasses' with feelings of nostalgia. This short six-part documentary sweeps away these misconceptions and presents it as it was.

[A.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. India. I am utterly bloody horrified by the stories of honour killings after the Partition of India. I have NEVER heard this. So tired of history skipping women’s narratives.

2. Somalia - the poor rent colony that the British barely bothered to set up properly.

3. Bunce Island, the British slave castle in Sierra Leone and the fascinating links between the local people and the rice growers of South Carolina and Georgia.

4. Dianna Rigg’s memories of growing up in India.

5. The Windrush generation. And shame on the current UK government for trying to send people back now.

6. Hong Kong. A scene that is still playing out as the people fight to retain the democracy they had for a century.

These were fascinating, but at times, very hard to listen to. I walk and listen to audiobooks to take a break from social media. And I just ended up angrier listening to these.
But we should NEVER forget the lessons of history.
4 stars

[Zainab · Rating 5 out of 5]

A broad, profound and moving exploration of the British Empire as an Audible Original podcast series. Ever since I listened to the six-episode series earlier in the year I’ve been recommending it to people. I learnt so much from Afua Hirsch and her guests – suffice to say, the British school curriculum did not do the job (nor even my undergraduate degree). Each episode takes a specific region and features a personal anecdote from a guest, plus background context from an academic. The Somalia and Sierra Leone episodes were particularly memorable. The latter unravels how Britain's slave trade intensified in some ways after abolition, so recent boastful rhetoric about our nobility for abolishing the slave trade in Britain are misplaced – and frankly false. I wish we could make this compulsory listening for Brits. This was my first Audible download and a very encouraging one.

[Premnath Alwarsamy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This audiobook gave a different perspective of the British colonization and the suffering and sacrifices of many people across different geographic regions.
Some of the events were very hard to digest. It is imperative that the British empire either directly or indirectly affected the lives of many citizens across the globe.

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic podcast by Afua Hirsch, a great follow up to her book Brit(ish).

[Hannah Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important series of narratives that we should all hear to have a more rounded view of Empire.

[Shalini Menon · Rating 4 out of 5]

All those interviewed are British citizens of long standing which naturally colours their analysis. While this is a great initiative, it would have been wonderful to hear voices of those once colonised, not British. A case in point would have been Shashi Tharoor, MP, from India... As there are many more, articulate and with a comprehensive understanding of what the Empire really left behind and what it took.

I particularly enjoyed that little insight into how Empire attitudes of governance may have shaped the psyche of individuals under its yoke with its patriarchal style of controlling maybe even despotic governance

[Chitundu Müller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yup. The way our school curriculum used to tell us about the missionaries and explorers was all wrong. They were portraiyed as heroes with good intentions, none of them were. They came here sow toxicity and robbed us of self determination

[Judit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, relevant and boldly honest.

[Fraser McClennan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A balanced and varied (albeit small) collection of narratives on the British Empire. Not too woke to lose me, although does skirt pretty close at times.

[afshh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was solid. All the episodes felt well thought through w the exception of Dame Diana Rigg’s—that one felt very empire apologist. It didn’t feel like Diana Rigg’s conception of colonisation was ever challenged and I get it was meant to possibly offer a counterbalance to other more critical perspectives of the British empire but the British empire has no shortage of apologists—y’all don’t even properly learn about the your colonial legacy in your education system—and I’m not interested in the counterbalance if it’s doused in white savourism and left unchecked and unchallenged. That episode just left a bad taste in my mouth but all the other episodes felt thoughtful and explored different aspects / legacies of the empire w good diversity. I wished there was an episode focused on Southeast Asia bc it does have a different legacy and was also impacted by British colonisation.

I didn’t know u could review audible original podcasts on goodreads ??

[M. Ainomugisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This doc-podcast series broaches the vague nostalgia, impartiality and amnesia that endure as mainstream memory of British empire in stead of the harsh realities of physical and cultural dispossession, racial inferiority and seismic precarity that are etched onto the memories of the colonized.

Admirers & equivocators of empire listening to these first-person accounts are asked to critically acknowledge the horrendous impacts and legacies of British empire.

In short: support reparations!

[Bevin Sunth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The audible series is exactly what the title describes. A collection of stories from people who were affected by the British empire that triggers conversations.
I'm glad we have started talking about our colonial history. In the words of Shashi Tharoor "We can forgive, but not forget". Once we learn how history had shaped us, it can only see us free.

[Giorgina King · Rating 5 out of 5]

A painful and crucial recollection of empire. Hirsch's commentary on empire and imperialism and the importance of national and cultural memory is explored through the lens of family histories of second/third-generation British citizens. A much-needed exploration at this time when so many are fighting for the recognition of more honest and holistic portrayals of history and public memory in the UK

[Željko Filipin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stories of several people from all over the former British empire.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and informative

[Victoria Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really really interesting

[Cal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would absolutely recommend this to anyone, and in fact urge everyone to read it. An incredible work of oral history.

[Rachel England-Brassy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thought provoking listen.
Recommended.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good! Subjective, obviously, but it never claimed to be anything else, in fact this was part of its strength. It was very humanly real and shed light into some very dark and rarely spoken spaces. This kind of work feels to me an important part of a vital dialogue taking place right across the world.

[Ellie Cripps · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one, it's a series of great interviews exploring the multifaceted impacts of the British Empire on individuals and countries. British colonial past needs to be understood from all angles, and I think this audiobook could be an engaging and well researched starting point for many people.

[enyanyo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic series of vignettes the show different lives affected by the empire. What was most fascinating for me was from Ep 4 with the parallels between the lives of colonial officers then and “expats” working in “developing countries” today.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting hearing the different views of people. Takes into account the fact that times and views have moved on and the Empire was from a different place in time. What was acceptable then is not all acceptable now.

[Emma Dargue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting podcast that is part documentary on the British Empire part first or second hand testimony from either immigrants or their first generation family.

[Susie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Was hoping for an objective informative podcast about the British Empire. Got anti British/ western civilisation propaganda instead. Disappointing.

[Gemma F · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this podcast. I hope they make another series.

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a useful introduction to some of the issues surrounding the British Empire and mixes first hand accounts with context from historians.

[Lizzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was well structured, with six 30 minute episodes each about a particular part of the world and a personal story (interview) for each one, as well as snippets from historians. It was concise enough to avoid becoming tedious/boring, but detailed enough to be interesting (as well as sobering). I prefer to learn history through personal stories so I liked the structure of this.