The Greatest Empire This book describes some of my life in the days of The Greatest Empire the world has ever known: The British Empire. This partial autobiography is how I remember those days, some days of glory, some days of sadness. It was an era: When we searched for beauty When we swooned to music When we strived for perfection When we did business on a handshake When a man's integrity was his passion When we left our homes unlocked When duty was a way of life When sex was a hidden fruit When manners came naturally When hard work was something to be proud of . . . And when God-given little things in life brought us our greatest joys.