A Fighting Retreat

by Robin Neillands

From Indian independence to the return of Hong Kong to China, British military specialist Neillands thoroughly chronicles Britain's retreat from empire. He offers a paean to the empire and its soldiers, and he clearly resents the U.S. pressure that hastened decolonization. In addition to accounts of Britain's strictly colonial experience, Neillands also covers Britain's experience at the end of the Palestine mandate and in Northern Ireland. Although his work makes good reading for those interested in world history in the second half of the 20th century, it is far too informal for serious academic writing, and it often feels like a collection of memoirs from old colonial hands. Britain is seen as always leaving its colonies ten years too soon.