Unlocking the World
Port Cities and Globalization in the Age of Steam, 1830-1930
By John Darwin | Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
About the book
From the acclaimed historian of global empire, the dramatic story of how steam power reshaped our cities and our seas, and forged a new world order
Steam power transformed our world, initiating the complex, resource-devouring industrial system the consequences of which we live with today. It revolutionized work and production, but also the ease and cost of movement over land and water. The result was to throw open vast areas of the world to the rampaging expansion of Europeans and Americans on a scale previously unimaginable.
Unlocking the World is the captivating history of the great port cities which emerged as the bridgeheads of this new steam-driven economy, reshaping not just the trade and industry of the regions around them but their culture and politics as well. They were the agents of what we now call 'globalization', but their impact and influence, and the reactions they provoked, were far from predictable. Nor were they immune to the great upheavals in world politics across the 'steam century'.
This book is global history at its very best. Packed with fascinating case histories (from New Orleans to Montreal, Bombay to Singapore, Calcutta to Shanghai), individual stories and original ideas, Darwin's book allows us, for better or worse, to see the modern age taking shape.
'A fine, important and original book ... wonderful' Paul Kennedy, Literary Review
Editions of Unlocking the World
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781846140877
- EBook
- ISBN 9780141992808
Read an Excerpt
From the acclaimed historian of global empire, the dramatic story of how steam power reshaped our cities and our seas, and forged a new world order
Steam power transformed our world, initiating the complex, resource-devouring industrial system the consequences of which we live with today. It revolutionized work and production, but also the ease and cost of movement over land and water. The result was to throw open vast areas of the world to the rampaging expansion of Europeans and Americans on a scale previously unimaginable.
Unlocking the World is the captivating history of the great port cities which emerged as the bridgeheads of this new steam-driven economy, reshaping not just the trade and industry of the regions around them but their culture and politics as well. They were the agents of what we now call 'globalization', but their impact and influence, and the reactions they provoked, were far from predictable. Nor were they immune to the great upheavals in world politics across the 'steam century'.
This book is global history at its very best. Packed with fascinating case histories (from New Orleans to Montreal, Bombay to Singapore, Calcutta to Shanghai), individual stories and original ideas, Darwin's book allows us, for better or worse, to see the modern age taking shape.
'A fine, important and original book ... wonderful' Paul Kennedy, Literary Review
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Unlocking the World about?
From the acclaimed historian of global empire, the dramatic story of how steam power reshaped our cities and our seas, and forged a new world order
Steam power transformed our world, initiating the complex, resource-devouring industrial system the consequences of which we live with today. It revolutionized work and production, but also the ease and cost of movement over land and water. The result was to throw open vast areas of the world to the rampaging expansion of Europeans and Americans on a scale previously unimaginable.
Unlocking the World is the captivating history of the great port cities which emerged as the bridgeheads of this new steam-driven economy, reshaping not just the trade and industry of the regions around them but their culture and politics as well. They were the agents of what we now call 'globalization', but their impact and influence, and the reactions they provoked, were far from predictable. Nor were they immune to the great upheavals in world politics across the 'steam century'.
This book is global history at its very best. Packed with fascinating case histories (from New Orleans to Montreal, Bombay to Singapore, Calcutta to Shanghai), individual stories and original ideas, Darwin's book allows us, for better or worse, to see the modern age taking shape.
'A fine, important and original book ... wonderful' Paul Kennedy, Literary Review
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Unlocking the World?
History and Archaeology > History > General and world history
Where can I read a sample of Unlocking the World?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781846140877
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Unlocking the World?
John Darwin
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Unlocking the World is available as paperback(ISBN 9781846140877) and ebook(ISBN 9780141992808)
Where can I buy Unlocking the World online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Unlocking the World from below
Where can I buy Unlocking the World?