Paul Gilroy has been a controversial force at the forefront of debates around race, nation, and diaspora. Working across a broad range of disciplines, Gilroy has argued that racial identities are historically constructed, formed by colonization, slavery, nationalist philosophies, and consumer capitalism.

Paul Williams introduces Gilroy's key themes and ideas, including:

Emphasizing the timeliness and global relevance of Gilroy's ideas, this guide will appeal to anyone approaching Gilroy's work for the first time or seeking to further their understanding of race and contemporary culture.