This book brings together David Cannadine's most important reflections on how history has been written and made in the 20th century.  They cover a series of key themes in British and imperial history: economy, parliament, monarchy, empire, heritage, and the construction of history itself. Most of the essays included here were produced during his decade-long association with the Institute of Historical Research at the University of London and they are framed by his inaugural and valedictory lectures.  The result is a remarkably coherent collection which demonstrates yet again why Cannadine is one of the most thoughtful, original, incisive and readable historians of our time.