The British Empire was the most powerful empire known to the modern world, but power and confidence were ebbing by the mid-20th century. Aspects of Empire, a second anthology of writings from the Corona Club journal, shows the British Parliament, Government, the Colonial Office and leading actors preparing for decolonisation. This was against a backdrop of ever-growing needs in the territories when imperial resources were increasingly limited - reflecting Britain's diminished position especially following World War II. There were the political demands of future self-government, the implication of Colonial Development and Welfare acts, defence, policing and even 'emergencies'. And all these factors impacted upon work in the territories and looked forward to the end of the Colonial and Overseas Services in the vital field of district administration and in the professional and technical departments. Here is an illuminating account of the management of the end of a global empire and preparation for self-government - a drama no less striking for being couched in form of Parliamentary debate, and state papers.

Anthony Kirk-Greene is Emeritus Fellow of St. Antony's College, Oxford. His publications include Glimpses of Empire: A Corona Anthology (I.B.Tauris, 2001); On Crown Service: A History of HM Colonial and Overseas Civil Services, 1837-1997 (I.B.Tauris, 1999) and Symbol of Authority: The British District Officer in Africa (I.B.Tauris, 2005).