The author contends that between 1837 and 1861 during the early part of Queen Victoria's long reign a series of wars created the British Empire. They were fought in the Middle & Far East among the hitherto mostly aligned, but often at least semi-autonomous colonies & settlements that had traded with Britain. Almost all were conquered (Afghanistan the exception - some things evidently don't change in 2 centuries!) on UK Government orders - although never a master-plan for such acquisitions war & conquest became habit for successive Victorian administrations - by force of arms conducted by British army & navy campaigns. The peoples were forcibly made subjects of the Queen, obliged to work for their rulers, and their nations' riches plundered to the benefit of GB. ( )

An account of British military involvements in the period (approximately) 1840-1860, including the Crimean War and the Indian Mutiny. While the historical detail was mainly known to me, Saul David provides enough detail to make the account very readable. However, the real value for me was the way in which the author places these conflicts in the context of the early part of Victoria's reign, as the British Empire was really getting into its stride. Perhaps a follow up volume will appear, covering the 'scramble for Africa'? As an aside, I was reading in parallel the on the spot accounts filed by William Russell for The Times, which were an unexpected 5 star delight. ( )