Thomas Babington Macaulays History of England" was a phenomenal Victorian best-seller defining a nations sense of self its triumphant rise to a powerfully homogenous nation built on a global empire & its claim to be the modern nation marking the route to civilization for all others. In this book Catherine Hall explores the emotional intellectual & political roots of Zachary Macaulay the leading abolitionist & his son Thomas visions of race nation & empire. The contrasting moments of evangelical humanitarianism & liberal imperialism are read through the writings & careers of the two men."