Out of Place

More about the book

The book delves into the complex notion of "Englishness," tracing its origins to the dynamics of the British Empire. It argues that while Enoch Powell's controversial claim about citizenship and identity was made, it ultimately lacks defensibility. Ian Baucom explores how English culture evolved through local influences and global interactions, suggesting that the Empire represented not a site of control for England, but rather a context in which it struggled with its own identity.