The 19C roots of globalisation demonstrated through an account of the enterprise network created by the Scottish merchant, William Mackinnon. WINNER OF THE 2004 WADSWORTH PRIZE. WINNER OF THE 2004 SALTIRE SOCIETY RESEARCH BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD. This book explores the nineteenth century roots of globalisation through the activities of the enterprise network created by the Scottish merchant, William Mackinnon. It follows the rise of the family-led business group from its modest origins in Scotland to its transformation into the world's largest maritime and mercantile conglomerate, tracing the history of the various shipping firms within the group - including the British India, Netherlands India andAustralasian United companies - and identifies the key factors behind its domination of coastal steamshipping around the Indian Ocean and into the western Pacific. It provides an analysis of the anatomy and dynamics of the enterprise network over time. The book also examines Mackinnon's relationship with the imperial statesman, Sir Henry Bartle Frere, which drew the network into the operations of British "informal imperialism" in the Persian Gulf, Red Seaand East-Central Africa regions, and eventually to its sponsorship of the ill-fated Imperial British East Africa Company. It breaks new ground in identifying the interplay of personal and business considerations behind Mackinnon's participation in the "Scramble for Africa" in its combination of maritime history with business history and imperial history to contribute to the current debate over "gentlemanly capitalism" and British overseas expansion. WINNER OF THE 2004 WADSWORTH PRIZE. JOINT WINNER OF THE 2004 SALTIRE SOCIETY RESEARCH BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD. J. FORBES MUNRO is emeritus professor of international economic history, University of Glasgow.

A richly textured analysis of Sir William Mackinnon's Indian Ocean-based business network. [...] Not only essential reading for scholars interested in nineteenth-century maritime history, it is also indispensable for students of business history. * THE NORTHERN MARINER *
Massive and definitive. Gives character and insight into...the character and operation of nineteenth-century international business and politics. * INTERNATIONAL HISTORY REVIEW *
This book is a joy to read and represents economic history at its best.. [An] excellent book. * EH.NET *
A superb book that will be the standard on Mackinnon for decades to come. * CHOICE *
The book is not only well-researched but written in an easy style which makes its romp through almost a century a pleasure to undertake. * BUSINESS HISTORY *
A first rate study of the business career of one of Scotland's leading Victorian entrepreneurs. * ALBION *

J. FORBES MUNRO is emeritus professor of international economic history, University of Glasgow.