The Work of Empire

“Jackson’s expansive new book . . . shows how the United States’ military colonialism at the turn of the century was realized, in no small part, through the efforts of Cuban, Filipino, and Chinese workers. The US empire was articulated through various forms of subaltern labor in crucial ways, but it was also contested, challenged, and destabilized in the process, often to the chagrin of soldiers seeking to impose a modernizing, technocratic efficiency. . . . Jackson’s deep engagement with a transnational set of archives merges with a thoughtful exploration of more conceptual questions around labor, difference, and the ways in which imperial power is mobilized.“—Diplomatic History

“A fascinating exploration of the critically important role played by labour in the creation of an empire. . . . Jackson provides an extremely valuable new focus on US imperialism that orients our attention to the role of workers themselves in empire-building—as well as instances in which they asserted the power to change it.”—Latin American Review of Books

“Jackson’s work is an insightful and engaging look at the nature of colonial occupation and the ways in which the US experience was one of negotiation and contestation rather than a simplistic picture of dominance. . . . As Jackson concludes, noting that the US efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq championed public works alongside deep reliance on local workers and knowledge, The Work of Empire is a subject that remains highly relevant.”—Journal of Military History

“Work of Empire highlights that American forces must be open and receptive to the requirements and differences of another country, and that a lack of understanding and detailed knowledge can lead to significant issues down the road, for both American forces and those living under the authority of those forces.”—United States Air Force

“An illuminating study.”—CHOICE

“Jackson shows us what the ‘work of empire’ looks like up close. Jackson’s emphasis is on the local, subnational level—a decision that helps readers see far more than imperial visions. . . . Examining the ‘work of empire’ can also show us, at a granular level, empire’s limits.”—Pacific Historical Review

“This is an innovative study of military-colonial labor relations in the Philippines and Cuba. . . . Jackson’s perspective offers a fresh take on empire studies—truly top-tier research.”—Zach Fredman, author of The Tormented Alliance: American Servicemen and the Occupation of China, 1941–1949