Buildings of Empire takes the reader on an exciting journey through thirteen territories of the British Empire. From Dublin Castle to the glass and steel of Sir Norman Fosters Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank skyscraper; these buildings capture the essence of the imperial experience; painting an intimate portrait of the biggest empire the world has ever seen: the people who made it and the people who resisted it; as well as the legacy of the imperial project throughout the world.Ashley Jackson visits classic examples of the buildings that the British governed from; the forts they (often brutally) imposed their rule from; the railway stations they travelled from; the banks they traded from; the educational establishments they spread their values from; as well as the grand colonial hotels they stayed in; the sporting clubs and botanical gardens where they took their leisure; and the monumental exhibition spaces in which they celebrated the achievements of settlement andimperial endeavour.The history of these buildings does not end with the empire that built them. Their story in the aftermath of empire highlights the continuing legacy of many of the structures and institutions the British left behind; as well as the sometimes unexpected role that these former symbols of alien rule have played in the establishment of new national identities in the years since independence.
#4242640 in eBooks 2013-04-11 2013-04-11File Name: B00HFTU4B4
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Join the Circus Like You Wanted to!By Jonathan Stuart CerulloArticulate and very well written. Easy read - still reading - but I would think anyone who is a circus enthusiast or historian will find this useful. I will say unfortunately like the circus itself the binding came undone - nothing a little glue didnrsquo;t fix!2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A book for children of all ages! An exciting review of cicus life and lifestyles.By John CancillaWell-written and absorbing. A sociological review of rootless circus performers that explains that little bit of wanderlust in all of us. A thoroughly enjoyable book!5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Picassos first art dealer was a former clown. This and a great deal more in this intriguing book.By lyndonbrechtThis is an excellent book; but the title is somewhat misleading. The book has a lot of circus history; but it is by no means complete. Youll pick up a lot of circus-related information. George Washington was a repeat customer of the first American circus in 1793. Picassos first lover was a trick rider and his first art dealer; a former clown. Alexander Calder (inventor of the mobile) made toy circus figures and then on his hands and knees would manipulate them as a performance--audiences loved it.Simon breaks down the circus into 10 chapters that includes the development of circuses like Ringling and Barnum Bailey; but the strength of the book is looking at the kinds of acts that go into a circus; and these chapters include some remarkable stories of iconic and not so famous performers. These include Chapter 4; Cavalcades; on the era of circus parades. Chapter 5; Without a Net; looks at rope acts; high wire acts and related; including such artists as Blondin.. Chapter 6; Beasts; is on animal acts; particularly big cats and "lion tamers." Chapter 7 Clowns; looks at how clowns developed and at some of the major artists such as Oleg Popov and Emmett Kelley. Chapter 8 Feats; looks at strong men (and women); acrobats; contortionists; jugglers and others. Chapter 9; Prodigies; looks at sideshow elements such as the bearded lady and three legged boys; and may be the best chapter in the book--apparently; the circus provided a sense of acceptance and larger family for people whod not have done so well elsewhere. The book is nicely illustrated.The other chapters are less focused. Chapter 10 "Transformations;" looks ate the present and evolving future of the circus and while brief; the rise of shows like the Cirque du Soleil. Chapter 1 lays out a circus history and Chapter 2 "Cirques Intimes" looks mostly at French and British shows ancestral to and variations on the usual idea of the circus; but these tended to be repeated shows in a dedicated venue rather than the traveling circus that is the usual circus stereotype.
