Uncommon Wealth

Britain and the Aftermath of Empire

By: Kojo Koram

Narrated by: Kojo Koram

Britain didn't just put the empire back the way it had found it.

In Uncommon Wealth, Kojo Koram traces the tale of how, after the end of the British empire, an interconnected group of well-heeled British intellectuals, politicians, accountants and lawyers offshored their capital, seized assets and saddled debt in former 'dependencies'. This enabled horrific inequality across the globe, as ruthless capitalists profited and ordinary people across Britain's former territories in colonial Africa, Asia and the Caribbean were trapped in poverty. However, the reinforcement of capitalist power across the world also ricocheted back home. Now it has left many Britons wondering where their own sovereignty and prosperity has gone....

Decolonisation was not just a trendy buzzword. It was one of the great global changes of the past hundred years, yet Britain - the protagonist in the whole messy drama - has forgotten it was ever even there. A blistering uncovering of the scandal of Britain's disastrous treatment of independent countries after empire, Uncommon Wealth shows the decisions of decades past are contributing to the forces that are breaking Britain today.

©2022 Kojo Koram (P)2022 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

Critic reviews

"Brilliantly arranged and rich with fresh insights, Uncommon Wealth reminds us how the forgotten stories of empire and decolonisation continue to impact our daily lives in Britain - and throughout the world - up to today." (Akala)

Excellent Analysis of the Post Colonial Power Structure

Really well thought out analysis of the decoupling of private power from the colonial states and the rise of the neoliberal order. Loved the historical portraits of Michael Manley, Kwame Ture, Singapore, etc. The tax haven portion, while important, was a bit less engaging. I didn’t love the voices the author used for quoted text I’m the reading. Overall though, very glad to have listened. Going to check out his interview on The Dig podcast for a recap next. Recommended.

Exceedingly bad reader

The material maybe great but I will never find out because the reader is so annoying as to make it unreachable. Not every author should read his own books.