This volume addresses the critical lack of comprehensive bibliographical resources for the study of British imperial, colonial, and Commonwealth history since 1600. Andrew Porter, a distinguished historian, compiles this reference work to bridge the gap between public interest in the British Empire and the availability of scholarly guidance. The text serves as a structured, accessible entry point for researchers and students seeking to navigate the vast historiography of Britain's overseas expansion and its subsequent global impact.

Scholars and librarians frequently cite this work as a foundational reference tool for those conducting research into the British Empire. Experts highlight the volume's utility in organizing a disparate and often overwhelming field of historical study into a coherent, accessible format.