The New York Times bestselling author of Krakatoa and The Professor and
the Madman takes readers on a quirky and charming tour of the last
outpost of the British empire
Originally published in 1985, Outposts is Simon Winchester's journey to
find the vanishing empire, “on which the sun never sets.” In the course
of a three-year, 100,000 mile journey--from the chill of the Antarctic
to the blue seas of the Caribbean, from the South of Spain and the tip
of China to the utterly remote specks in the middle of gale-swept
oceans--he discovered such romance and depravity, opulence and despair
tht he was inspired to write what may be the last contemporary account
of the British empire. Written with Winchester's captivating style and
breadth, here are conversations and anecdotes, myths and political
analysis, scenery and history--a poignant and colorful record of the
lingering beat of what was once the heart of the civilized world.