This readable, comprehensive history of colonialism spans from its origins in the late Middle Ages, to the current problems of the Middle East. It takes a global and comparative perspective instead of the usual national approach and provides detailed information not only on the different colonial Empires created by the Europeans overseas but also on continental colonialism. This dark and controversial part of history is portrayed as neutrally as possible to encourage readers to make their own informed, independent judgement. After theoretical reflection the book deals with the discoveries and the Portuguese, Dutch, English and other trading systems in Asia, the Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, French and British colonies in the New World, the slave economy and the first decolonisations. Subsequent chapters cover the settler colonies of the southern hemisphere and the continental expansion of the US, Russia and China. Three large chapters look at Western domination in Asia, colonies in Africa, the last phase of imperialism and the great decolonisation. Finally, the author provides a balance sheet of colonialism. The book contains a select bibliography to assist with further study, as well as twenty-four maps, and theories of colonialism, imperialism, dependency and post-colonialism are applied but also critically reviewed, making this an excellent textbook for academic classes on colonial and global history. In addition, it will provide the general reader with reliable information on an essential part of the history of mankind.