
Hear Our Voices
A Powerful Retelling of the British Empire through 20 True Stories
Wide Eyed Editions (Publisher)
Published on 17. October 2023
Book
Hardback
64 pages
978-0-7112-6695-7 (ISBN)
Description
This compelling and important history of the British Empire, told from the perspective of 20 people who lived through it, tells the story of one of the largest and most powerful empires in human history.
At one time, the British Empire ruled over almost a quarter of the world's population. Men, women and children from all walks of life and from across the globe were affected in big and small ways, from the clothes they wore, the food they ate and the languages they spoke to the work they did and the rights they held. This legacy and impact is still evident all over the world today.
This book shines a light on the human aspects of the 'Empire where the sun never sets', introducing readers to a host of figures, both powerful and modest, who lived through, challenged, and influenced the course of the British Empire. But how did this empire come to be? And what happened to the people whose lands were colonised? The people whose lives were touched? This book tells their stories and reclaims this chapter in history by giving voice to 20 real figures whose perspectives have often been ignored, overlooked or sidelined.
Their stories are told in a first-person narrative style, allowing readers to see through the eyes of these inspiring history-keepers. From leaders and activists to poets and freedom fighters, the book features a range of figures from across five continents, shining a light on the human aspect of the British Empire.
Meet Queen Nanny, the escaped slave who led a fight for freedom against the British in Jamaica.
Hear the story of Rani of Jhansi, a key figure in the Indian resistance movement against British colonial rule.
Learn about Tejonihokarawa, the Mohawk leader who travelled to London on a diplomatic mission.
These engaging true stories of resistance, community, struggle and hope will spark conversations, foster a broader, decolonized understanding of the reaches and impacts of colonialism and ultimately leave readers inspired. After all, understanding our past and its echoes in our lives today is a step towards a better future.
At one time, the British Empire ruled over almost a quarter of the world's population. Men, women and children from all walks of life and from across the globe were affected in big and small ways, from the clothes they wore, the food they ate and the languages they spoke to the work they did and the rights they held. This legacy and impact is still evident all over the world today.
This book shines a light on the human aspects of the 'Empire where the sun never sets', introducing readers to a host of figures, both powerful and modest, who lived through, challenged, and influenced the course of the British Empire. But how did this empire come to be? And what happened to the people whose lands were colonised? The people whose lives were touched? This book tells their stories and reclaims this chapter in history by giving voice to 20 real figures whose perspectives have often been ignored, overlooked or sidelined.
Their stories are told in a first-person narrative style, allowing readers to see through the eyes of these inspiring history-keepers. From leaders and activists to poets and freedom fighters, the book features a range of figures from across five continents, shining a light on the human aspect of the British Empire.
Meet Queen Nanny, the escaped slave who led a fight for freedom against the British in Jamaica.
Hear the story of Rani of Jhansi, a key figure in the Indian resistance movement against British colonial rule.
Learn about Tejonihokarawa, the Mohawk leader who travelled to London on a diplomatic mission.
These engaging true stories of resistance, community, struggle and hope will spark conversations, foster a broader, decolonized understanding of the reaches and impacts of colonialism and ultimately leave readers inspired. After all, understanding our past and its echoes in our lives today is a step towards a better future.
Reviews / Votes
"This pioneering book tells the history of the British Empire, its legacy and how it has shaped the UK today, through 25 real people's stories." * The Bookseller * "should be an essential addition to any school library." * The Bookseller * "This empowering journey through time and across continents explores the rise, fall and legacy of the British Empire from the perspectives of 20 real people who lives through it." * The Bookseller *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Quarto Publishing PLC
Target group
Children/juvenile
US School Grade: From Fifth Grade to Seventh Grade, Interest Age: From 9 to 12 years
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
color illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 318 mm
Width: 265 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Weight
698 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7112-6695-7 (9780711266957)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Radhika Natarajan is assistant professor of history and humanities at Reed College in Portland, Oregon. She is a historian of Modern Imperial Britain and her research focuses on decolonisation and citizenship in the British imperial world. Her syllabus on imperialism teaches how students how opposition to imperialism unites the struggles of our times, and to recognise empire is to take a necessary step towards a more just world.Chao Tayiana is a Kenyan digital humanities scholar and historian. For Chao, history is both a restorative and revolutionary act: a communion with her ancestors and a constant dialogue with the realities of her present. She is a co-founder of the Museum of British Colonialism, a volunteer collective working to communicate a more truthful account of British colonial history, where she leads digital engagement. She is also also a co-founder of the Open Restitution Africa project, an Africa-led initiative seeking to open up access to information on restitution of African material culture and human ancestors.Alexander Mostov is a Seattle-based illustrator whose work has been featured by Google, Facebook, and the Columbus Museum of Art. Previous books include D-Day: Untold Stories of the Normandy Landings Inspired by 20 Real-Life People published by Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 2019.
Content
Introduction
The British Empire
Motivations and Means
Agents of Empire
Mapping the British Empire
Experiences of Empire
Tejonihokarawa
Nanny
Payamataha
Olaudah Equiano
Lin Zexu
Te Rangitopeora
William Cuffay
Lakshmibai, Rani of Jhansi
Catherine Impey
Sophia Duleep Singh
Anna Mahase
Eamon de Valera
Mohandas Gandhi
Margaret Tucker
Saadat Hasan Manto
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
Field Marshal Muthoni
Kwame Nkrumah
Claudia Jones
George Manuel
Ending the British Empire
How this book came to be
Acknowledgements
Glossary
Index
The British Empire
Motivations and Means
Agents of Empire
Mapping the British Empire
Experiences of Empire
Tejonihokarawa
Nanny
Payamataha
Olaudah Equiano
Lin Zexu
Te Rangitopeora
William Cuffay
Lakshmibai, Rani of Jhansi
Catherine Impey
Sophia Duleep Singh
Anna Mahase
Eamon de Valera
Mohandas Gandhi
Margaret Tucker
Saadat Hasan Manto
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
Field Marshal Muthoni
Kwame Nkrumah
Claudia Jones
George Manuel
Ending the British Empire
How this book came to be
Acknowledgements
Glossary
Index