Legacy of Violence is an extraordinary and thorough account of the use of State violence throughout the history of the British empire. This was one of the best history books I’ve read for years, and I know I’ll refer back to it often.
Elkins spots trends in policy and enforcement across time and place that help show the longevity and core use of violence as part of imperial administration. Starting in the 18th century, ending with the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020, the ambitious analysis makes for a long but highly readable book. Elkins foregrounds people throughout: “At their core, these sinews of empire are about people, their actions and the choices they made under the conditions in which they lived and operated” (p. 28).
Elkins was an expert witness in the cases brought by Kenyans in the UK courts relating to British actions during what became known as the Mau Mau period. As a result of these cases, a huge undisclosed British government archive relating to the end of empire across multiple states came to light (https://www.theguardian.com/news/2016/aug/18/uncovering-truth-british-empire-caroline-elkins-mau-mau).
Her discussion of uses of legal systems within the empire, and their connections to institutionalised violence and challenges to the rule of law, is fascinating. Hugely relevant and brilliantly researched, this will be a key reference work for years to come.
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