Book cover of The Encyclopedia of Empire

Book description

Available online or as a four-volume print set, The Encyclopedia of Empire provides exceptional in-depth, comparative coverage of empires throughout human history and across the globe.

Features over 400 peer-reviewed entries, including both short definitional entries as well as discursive, essay-style articles on major topics and themes Coverage includes individual…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked The Encyclopedia of Empire as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I have long had a plan to write a book on the geopolitics of empire, and so I read lots of books on empire and imperialism. I came across this one some years ago, but I continue to read it. Some books are best dipped it over time.

This 4-volume encyclopedia is a great one for dipping into. The entries are arranged alphabetically and written by experts with a useful guide to further reading. The superb scholarship is matched by clear writing.

There are the usual suspects, such as the Aztec, British, and Chinese empires, as well the less known,…

If you love The Encyclopedia of Empire...

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

Want books like The Encyclopedia of Empire?

Our community of 13,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Encyclopedia of Empire.

Browse books like The Encyclopedia of Empire

Book cover of Western Women and Imperialism: Complicity and Resistance
Book cover of Time and Antiquity in American Empire: Roma Redux
Book cover of The Location of Culture

Share your top 3 reads of 2026!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

164

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like The Encyclopedia of Empire, you might also like...

Book cover of The Tao of Poison

The Tao of Poison by Isham Cook,

A poisonous maiden, a Daoist sex cult, and a violent insurgency.

The polyandrous Yan family in China's rural Shaanxi Province takes in two carpenter brothers. When one brother is convicted of murder after killing their neighbor in a dispute, a constable threatens to expose the family's rumored polyandry and extorts…

Book cover of Big Ideas... For Small Businesses: Simple, Practical Tools and Tactics to Help Your Small Business Grow

Big Ideas... For Small Businesses by John Lamerton,

Big Ideas… for Small Businesses is a straight-talking, no-nonsense guide to growing a small business without sacrificing your lifestyle. Written by a former civil servant turned entrepreneur, the book challenges hustle culture and instead champions the idea of an "ambitious lifestyle business" - one that provides freedom and financial stability,…

5 book lists we think you will like!