The average user rating for this Book is 5.7 out of 10 (based on 20 Votes).
John O gave it a3: The reviews of Elkins' book which point to the great many flaws of evidence and analysis are very convincing. This isn't about whether the British Empire was something worth defending. This is a matter of accuracy. Is this a book which deserves the praise it has received as a piece of scholarship, a work which will endure? The answer is no. What is especially disheartening is what Elkins' career success says about the way American universities operate these days. Condiser this - a badly flawed piece of scholarship can be produced in one of the greatest history departments in the world. That's bad enough - what's worse is that the same department then turns around and hires her, then gives her tenure. What's the moral? It's not about merit anymore its about pedigree. And apparently if you're in the Ivys, it's okay to hire your own less than stellar students. There's a name for that: academic inbreeding. An unfortunate precedent for the state of higher education in this country.
david k gave it a9: Well written. Being a kenyan,I cant believe the success with which this history has been hidden from us and the rest of the world. A must read.
peyi a gave it a10: Passionate but scrupulously researched writing. Elkins combines multiple research methodologies in uncovering a history that was deliberately consigned to the margins of global memory by a colonial and post colonial machinery. critics will find her crititique of the fantasies of empire disconcerting but it is indeed welcome by all rigorous scholars seeking evidence that illuminates the reality of settler colonialism. Her tenacity, rigor and passion are truly outstanding and refreshing.
Goodev M gave it a7: Despite British atrocities, rarely does one come across a well organised and diciplined terrorist organization such as Mau Mau bring the might of their Colonial masters to their knees. Credit of course goes to patriots such as Dedan Kimathi who gave his life for the cause, as well as Jomo Kenyatta who remained steadfast. Not unlike Nelson Mandela, Kenyatta had the true spirit of forgiveness, an abject lesson to current Israeli-Palestininian conflict.
DM T gave it a9: Excellent research. Not always elegantly written (which is why it gets 9 instead of 10) but certainly shows academic seal for detail. The people who do not want to know what it uncovers should stay away. It can be a hard read in places and will no doubt upset many citizens of the UK.
roger s gave it a2: This book is so inaccurate as to be worthless.
Hank V gave it a10: Excellent book that exposes British atrocities at its worst.
Jim L gave it a10: It is said the winners write history. Well, finally after a half century, the British Empire's account of its "civilizing mission" in Kenya has been exposed for what it was: the brutal, genocidal oppression of the Kikuyu people. Reviews may quibble with some of Caroline Elkins' details, but the truth she uncovers gives voice to the victims of this travesty.
John C gave it a3: The immoderate tone of 'Imperial Reckoning' seriously detracts from its relevance to a topic that deserves to be more usefully explored. For example, Ms Elkins assertion that almost all the 1.5 million Kikuyus were detained by the British during the Kenyan Mau Mau period would be laughable if not in a study purporting to be factual. I was a white British journalist working in Nairobi from 1949 to 1960. That great injustices were perpetrated on Africans and then concealed is not in doubt - but not in the name of the majority of whites. Does Abu Ghraib tarnish the honor and integrity of all Americans? The distortions in Ms Elkins lengthy and tedious work create the impression of an angry and biassed author with an agenda - hardly a profile desirable in an impartial historian.
isaac k gave it a10: This book provide us with the untold horrors exprrienced by the kikuyu people in the hands of Britons. Imperialism is a bad and the most dehuminizing this, it was wrong then and is still wrong now. Just because Britain is one of the leading vocal nations in apologising for their own human right record shows cleary that this unspeakable thing happened and the most outreageous this is for all this year they have never accepted MAU MAU as a legitimate freedom fighters who were only fighting for their God given right. In my opnion, Ms Elkins has given us an oppotunity which is long overdue. Thank you Ms elkins ur my hero.
Sandra A gave it a0: Yet another piece of revisionist sap which conveniently glosses over the equally brutal intent of the aggressors. ie The Mau Mau/Kikuyu I think we all know that Imperialism was "baaad" and no-one in their right mind applauds it today - LEAST of all Britain. What this book hopes to achieve, by championing the rather suspect words of many indigenous people at face value - not to mention Ms Elkins' OWN shady motives in doing so - is suspect in of itself. Especially in a time when Britain is probably one of the MOST vocal countries in the world about apologising for their own human rights' records of the past. My overall summation: a book intended to stir up more hatespeak, in the guise of liberalist "history". You won't be on my booklist again Ms Elkins for such bias, bigoted nonsense.
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