Short Synopsis
The classic examination of nationalism from author Benedict Anderson, including a new afterword exploring the book's extraordinary influence, from its first publication in 1983 to the present day.

Full Synopsis
Imagined Communities, Benedict Anderson's brilliant book on nationalism, forged a new field of study when it first appeared in 1983. Since then it has sold over a quarter of a million copies and is widely considered the most important book on the subject. In this greatly anticipated revised edition, Anderson updates and elaborates on the core question: What makes people live and die for nations, as well as hate and kill in their name?

Anderson examines the creation and global spread of the 'imagined communities' of nationality, and explores the processes that created these communities: the territorialization of religious faiths, the decline of antique kingship, the interaction between capitalism and print, the development of secular languages-of-state, and changing conceptions of time and space. He shows how an originary nationalism born in the Americas was adopted by popular movements in Europe, by imperialist powers, and by the anti-imperialist resistances in Asia and Africa.

In a new afterword, Anderson examines the extraordinary influence of Imagined Communities: he also explores the book's international publication and reception, from its first publication towards the end of the Cold War era to the present day.

"Sparkling, readable, densely packed." ---Peter Worsley, Guardian

"A brilliant little book." ---Neal Ascherson, Observer

"Anderson's knowledge of a vast range of relevant historical literature is most impressive; his presentation of the gist of it is both masterly and lucid." ---Edmund Leach, New Statesmen

"This is a book to be owned and read, re-read, and treasured." ---Academic Library Book Review