Empire, David Olusoga at his best.

I always enjoy David Olusoga’s quiet, forensic examination of historical documents to support the overarching themes of his series. Whether he’s looking at something very specific e.g. A House Through Time or T^he People’s Piazza, A History of Covent Garden^, black history or national politics e.g. 2023’s excellent Union, he brings history to life in a very accessible way. His latest - Empire is no exception.

I would also recommend watching David Harewood on Blackface (iPlayer) where Olusoga helps his friend locate shocking documents and archive footage about the history of this very strange cultural form that was part of mass TV viewing for so many decades.

We were watching it last night, still one episode to catch up on. It was a marvellous and modern retelling of the British Empire in all it's glory and sad insensitivity to the presence of different people's in the world. The interweaving of details of the slave trade and of convict exile to the other end of the world were staggering. What marvellous administrators there have been through the centuries. David O is very impressive as a historian and presenter.

I very much admire Prof David Olusoga and his view of the UK and Imperial history.

Amongst historians there is a debate as to whether slavery gave Britain the capital to exploit the Industrial Revolution and David Olusoga is definitely on the side that it did.

I thoroughly enjoy watching his historical investigations. As OP said we see history through very different eyes.

It was fascinating and I've learned a lot.
I love his presentation style.
I've got tickets for his show "A Gun Through Time" and have heard that there is a new House series soon.
A very busy man.

Thanks WWM2, I’ll look for that podcast. I’ve enjoyed all his programmes.

Yes. He also does a podcast that is worth listening to.

I've recorded it, look forward to watching on a wet, miserable afternoon!