Empire's Reach : Law, History and Colonialism

Drawing on contemporary research from an internationally acclaimed group of scholars, this work brings together the disciplines of law, history and post-colonial studies in an exploration of imperialism.

In essays, from a range of disciplinary backgrounds, this collection offers perspectives on the length and breadth of empire.

As issues of native title, truth and reconciliation commissions, and access to land and natural resources are contested in courtrooms and legislation of former colonies, the disciplines of law and history afford new ways of seeing, hearing and creating knowledge.

Issues explored include topics such as the judicial construction of racial categories, the gendered definitions of nation-states, the historical construction of citizenship, sovereignty and land rights, the limits to legality and the charting of empire, madness among colonized peoples, property rights of married women, questions of legal and historical evidence and the rule of law.