Niall Ferguson recreates the excitement, brutality and adventure of the British Empire, showing on a vast canvas how the British Empire in the 19th century spearheaded real globalization with steampower, telegraphs, guns, engineers, missionaries and millions of settlers.

More than any other event, World War I made the 20th century what it has been. Now as the 20th century draws to a close, 80 years after the armistice of 11 November 1918, the time is right for a radical reassessment of the Great War. In this book aimed at appeal to appeal not only to students but also to the general reader, Niall Ferguson explodes many of the myths surrounding the war.