This essential guide offers a succinct, easy-to-read introduction to the key issues and historiography of British imperialism from the late 18th century to the present. Each chapter addresses questions posed by the nature of imperialism in its various military, economic, political, and cultural forms, while current controversies--including the impact of Orientalism and post-colonialism--are explained and set in the context of previous debates. The first book in Palgrave Macmillan's new Histories and Controversies series, British Imperialism enables readers to rapidly assimilate both historiography and key aspects of Britain's imperial power and influence.