The book delves into the diverse experiences of Britons in various colonial communities beyond the Dominions. Through a series of case studies, it examines how different groups interacted with and were influenced by British power in distinct regions around the globe, highlighting the complexities of colonial life and the impact of imperialism on both the colonizers and the colonized.
The study explores Britain's complex presence in China during its imperial height and subsequent decline, emphasizing the role of urban settlers whose loyalties were primarily to their communities rather than imperial ambitions. Through extensive archival research, the author highlights the interactions and conflicts between these settlers, the Chinese populace, and the British government. It also examines how various British sectors, including missionaries and businesses, adapted their relationships with China, ultimately reshaping the landscape of British imperialism in the region.
Shanghai in the wake of the First World War was one of the world's most dynamic, brutal and exciting cities. Threatened from within by communist workers and governed by desperate British-dominated administration, Shanghai was mesmerising and terrible. Into this maelstrom stepped a tough and resourceful ex-veteran Englishman to join the police.