The Man on the Spot: Essays on British Empire History

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Description

Focusing on the role of the individual on the periphery, this volume illuminates John Galbraith's thesis that events on the periphery of the British Empire led the "man on the spot" to expand the area of British control. The man on the spot was a factor in imperial expansion as much as, or sometimes more than, imperial or company policy, which often opposed control of further territory because of the expense. The Empire continued to expand in spite of official policy because of individuals and events on the periphery. This book provides studies of the periphery of Empire, whether in Africa, Canada, Malaya, China or India.

Reviews

"The concept of 'the man on the spot' is most closely associated with John S. Galbraith, a distinguished historian of the British Empire who emphasized the role played by individual colonial administrators far from central authority in annexing new terrtories to the Empire...Long has edited a Festschrift for Galbraith...fresh and often engaging. All [essays] are accessible to the undergraduate reader. Because of the range it covers, this volume should be in most college libraries."-Choice
The concept of 'the man on the spot' is most closely associated with John S. Galbraith, a distinguished historian of the British Empire who emphasized the role played by individual colonial administrators far from central authority in annexing new terrtories to the Empire...Long has edited a Festschrift for Galbraith...fresh and often engaging. All [essays] are accessible to the undergraduate reader. Because of the range it covers, this volume should be in most college libraries.-Choice

Author Bio

ROGER D. LONG is Associate Professor of History at Eastern Michigan University.