"British Imperial Literature 1870-1940 creates a new context in which to sstudy these important writers whose ideas still trouble us. Few books achieve so much. In doing so, it reminds us of the use of historical readings that are not overwhelmed by ideology." Anne E. Fernald, Modern Fiction Studies

• Introduction; 1. Agents and the problem of agency: the context; 2. Why Africa needs Europe: from Livingstone to Stanley; 3. Kipling's 'Law' and the division of bureaucratic labor; 4. Agent, instrument, and novelist: Cromer, Gordon, Conrad and the problem of imperial character; 5. 'Gladness of abasement': T. E. Lawrence and the erotics of imperial discipline; 6. Resurrecting individualism: the interwar novels of imperial manners; Conclusion: work as rule; Bibliography.

"British Imperial Literature 1870-1940 creates a new context in which to sstudy these important writers whose ideas still trouble us. Few books achieve so much. In doing so, it reminds us of the use of historical readings that are not overwhelmed by ideology." Anne E. Fernald, Modern Fiction Studies

• Introduction; 1. Agents and the problem of agency: the context; 2. Why Africa needs Europe: from Livingstone to Stanley; 3. Kipling's 'Law' and the division of bureaucratic labor; 4. Agent, instrument, and novelist: Cromer, Gordon, Conrad and the problem of imperial character; 5. 'Gladness of abasement': T. E. Lawrence and the erotics of imperial discipline; 6. Resurrecting individualism: the interwar novels of imperial manners; Conclusion: work as rule; Bibliography.