The work has been planned in eight volumes, of which the first three will will relate the general history of British oversea expansion and imperial policy, volumes four and five the history of British India, and the remaining three the history of Canada and Newfoundland, Australia and New Zealand, and South Africa -- preface.

Volume 1. The old empire, from the beginnings to 1783 --Volume 2. The growth of the new empire, 1783-1870 -- Volume 3. The Empire-Commonwealth, 1870-1919 -- Volume 4. British India, 1497-1858 -- Volume 5. The Indian empire, 1858-1918 -- Volume 6. Canada and Newfoundland -- Volume 7. Australia (part 1) -- Volume 7. New Zealand (part 2) -- Volume 8. South Africa, Rhodesia and the protectorates.