Here is another big (620 page), dense (hundreds of anecdotes, names & dates) history book. The book describes in too much detail the phenomena that led to the fall. The stories take place on one day (48 hours, from New Zealand, around the world, and back) in September, 1923 when the empire was the largest it ever would be.
The author explores the empire's desires to make the world "better" through paternalism, sometimes called "White Man's Burden." I am always surprised how difficult it is for people, including this author, to get out of their own perceptions and see the world through the eyes of others with different perceptions. Nothing in international politics has changed in the last hundred years. "Foreign Aid" is never about establishing local dirt farming and local low-tech industry to enable local infrastructure creation. Philanthropy is destructive. Parker concentrates on the exploitation and destruction of indigenous culture, moires, customs, & languages which appears inevitable among humans. It is interesting and well-written but somewhat shallow. 3/5 Stars.
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