This book charts the decolonization of Asia, Africa and the Caribbean from 1945 to the present day, analyzing the ways in which countries separated themselves from the control of the European Powers. The author provides a concise historiographical survey of decolonization, placing the last days of the empire in the context of long-term international developments.
For the Second Edition, a new chapter has been added to examine the post-Cold War realignments in Central and Eastern Europe which mark the final phase of decolonization. Coverage is also given to the hand-over of Hong Kong from Britain to China in 1997. In view of recent changes, the conclusion has also been fully revised.

The text also includes an updated chronology of events and a completely rewritten bibliography, to guide the student to further reading.