Britain's Gulag

This powerful exposé reveals the brutal realities of British colonial rule in Kenya during the Mau Mau uprising, as detailed in Britain's Gulag.

The twentieth anniversary edition of Caroline Elkins’s Pulitzer Prize-winning exposé brings renewed attention to the dark chapters of British colonial history in Kenya. In 1952, the Mau Mau uprising erupted as the Kikuyu people rose against decades of oppression, demanding their land and freedom. The British colonial government responded with extreme measures, detaining nearly the entire Kikuyu population of 1.5 million. This brutal crackdown resulted in the deaths of thousands, as detainees faced exhaustion, disease, starvation, and systemic violence. For far too long, these harrowing events were shrouded in silence.

In Britain's Gulag, Elkins meticulously pieced together this tragic narrative through years of extensive research. She unearthed countless documents and conducted interviews with several hundred Kikuyu survivors, revealing the depth of suffering endured during this period. This groundbreaking account not only sheds light on Kenya’s struggle for independence but also illustrates the lengths to which Britain went to maintain its empire. The book serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of colonialism and the resilience of those who fought against it.

The new introduction offers fresh insights into the ongoing relevance of these historical events, encouraging readers to reflect on the legacy of colonialism today. Britain's Gulag stands as an extraordinary act of historical recovery, challenging us to confront uncomfortable truths and honor the memories of those who suffered.