I learned a lot about the British Empire collecting early stamps for a "One For Every Country" collection. Most of my resources were philatelic based, but I saw something in the checkout line at the grocery store yesterday that I had to pick up:
National Geographic Atlas of the British Empire
It's a special issue that lists for $14.99 US / $17.99 CDN and says "Display until 8/7/20"
If you're like me and know woefully little about the history of the British Empire, but don't want to read over 1000 pages about it, so far this has been a fascinating read! I think mine was marked down to $11 and change at my local IGA.
Lars
  1 Member likes this post. Login to Like.
"Expanding your knowledge faster than your collection can save you a few bucks."
I haven't bought many but I love leafing through those National Geographic "Special Editions" that are always on sale in the grocery store. They're great!
Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy.. 15 Jun 2020 04:18:58am
re: Atlas of the British Empire
" .... If you're like me and know woefully little about the history of the British Empire, but don't want to read over 1000 pages about it ...."
Despite being one of those who has read several such volumes about British history, an enjoyed it quite bit, I am sending my son to try to get copy. I'll admit that most find history, US, UK or various localized history books, but so much of our history and culture stems from the experiences of the British people.
Just trying to understand a large part of our Constitution and especially its somewhat obscure, seldom used clauses is much easier when the underlying fears and experiences of the colonists, who wrote it out and their antecedents known.
But history books are certainly not able to hold many people's interest the way "playboy" or "Popular Mechanics " do.
A few months ago the word "emoluments" began to be tossed around with little real explanation and even less reference to Britain's King Charles I and why he was beheaded just about a hundred years earlier.
Login to Like this post
".... You may think you understood what you thought I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you think you heard is not what I thought I meant. .... "
"Despite being one of those who has read several such volumes about British history, an enjoyed it quite bit, I am sending my son to try to get copy."
Let us know if you think it's worthwhile for someone already knowledgeable - if nothing more than an introduction to family members about why the topic is so fascinating!
Login to Like this post
"Expanding your knowledge faster than your collection can save you a few bucks."
Harvey I think, therefore I am - I think! 18 Jun 2020 07:14:08pm
re: Atlas of the British Empire
I watched a 20(ish) year long series on YouTube called Time Team and also many specials they produced. It's a fantastic series centering on archaeology and I picked up a huge amount of British History. The series is addictive so don't start watching it unless you have major time to kill! The US tried to make a similar series, but it didn't work.
Harvey, Time Team worked because the presenter (Tony Robinson, (Baldrick in Blackadder) was genuinely interested in the items being uncovered and the method of manufacture of the tools etc found. The team itself had their own characters and were not there because of celebrity status (although many ended with a cult following).
There is at least one book available, when we lived in the UK it was almost compulsory viewing, hardly missed an episode.
Great series and one the producers of "Curse of Oak Island" would do well to watch.
Login to Like this post
Please Note: Postings that were loaded from the old Discussion Board cannot be edited.