The people who built the British Empire were not unique in their courage, ambition or greed. There have been other empires and there surely will be more in the future. Perhaps understanding how the British Empire grew and how it affected those it touched is key to understanding the operation of all empires. One lesson we may take from reading this history is that fortune is whimsical. It bestows friendship upon some, while to others it turns a cold shoulder. Whether a lesson is learned or not, however, one thing is certain. The saga of the British Empire’s rise and decline is full of drama and tragedy. No playwright or novelist has ever, or will ever, imagine a story more rich or textured than that offered by the true experiences of actual people.