For All the Tea in China

How England Stole the World's Favorite Drink and Changed History

De: Sarah Rose

Narrado por: Sarah Rose

Duración: 7 h y 42 m

Resumen del Editor

In 1848, the British East India Company, having lost its monopoly on the tea trade, engaged Robert Fortune, a Scottish gardener, botanist, and plant hunter, to make a clandestine trip into the interior of China - territory forbidden to foreigners - to steal the closely guarded secrets of tea horticulture and manufacturing. For All the Tea in China is the remarkable account of Fortune's journeys into China - a thrilling narrative that combines history, geography, botany, natural science, and old-fashioned adventure.

Disguised in Mandarin robes, Fortune ventured deep into the country, confronting pirates, hostile climate, and his own untrustworthy men as he made his way to the epicenter of tea production, the remote Wu Yi Shan hills. One of the most daring acts of corporate espionage in history, Fortune's pursuit of China's ancient secret makes for a classic 19th-century adventure tale, one in which the fate of empires hinges on the feats of one extraordinary man.

©2010 Sarah Rose (P)2010 Tantor

Reseñas de la Crítica

“A delicious brew of information on the history of tea cultivation and consumption in the Western world.... A remarkably riveting tale.” ( Booklist)

classic time in horticultural exploration

The author provides a fine window into a wonderful time in horticultural exploration at the same time that she provides cultural and political contexts. I found the book fascinating. Unfortunately, I thought the author should not have narrated the book. While her narration is professional, I do not feel it suited the story.

informative

Very interesting. Really dragged after the adventuring botanist made it out of China, but enlightening just the same.

History at its most intriguing and unbelieveable

If you like spy novels, or industrial espionage, or discussion of important historical turning points you will love this book. Sarah Rose blended these aspects of her story perfectly and I could not stop listening. The story was so good I have been recommending it to my friends who usually stick with fiction because they have never been able to get into history with its often dry recitation of dates and un-relatable characters. I've gotten two thank you's from friends who decided to give it a try and were just as amazed as I was. This type of book is rare and I hope like heck I can find others like it.

Interesting intersection of topics

What did you love best about For All the Tea in China?

This book is an interesting history of tea, sailing, exploring, terraria, the Orient, England, India, politics, gardening, and the beginnings of international commerce. I enjoyed reading it. The author as narrator perhaps wasn't the best, but I didn't find her tone distracting.

A fascinating story which ended too soon

This was the best audiobook I've listened to! Mr Susskind assumes very little physics knowledge but still manages to not talk down to the listener and clearly explain complex concepts. In addition, he has many fascinating, illuminating stories about many of the great luminaries of the physics world, from drinking a beer with Feynman in a small bar in NYC in the 1960s to touring San Francisco's steep hills with Stephen Hawking. This was a great audiobook!

Delightful!

I love micro histories about odd bits of the world. This one is a delight. It's full of a great deal of information about tea, British imperialism, China, India and that point in time. All in all, it's an interestingly drawn picture.
The author is not a great narrator, but she really didn't get in the way of her story. I found it a treat.

Was what I was looking for!

Very interesting if you like the topic! There are a few points where she runs off topic but otherwise I really enjoyed it!

Grossly Racist

it's an engaging story, but told in a grossly racist way. There's clear minimization of the effects of British imperialism on it's victims, and a basic approval of how that evil shaped the modern world. she's a good narrator, and it's a good story, but absolutely culturally tone deaf.

everything you wanted to know bout history and tea

everything you wanted to know about history and tea ...the history will indeed surprise you

Fascinating history but hard on the ears

I loved this book. As a tea drinker and someone who loves history books, I found it absolutely fascinating. It is thoroughly researched and very well written.

However, as many other people have noted, the author does a very poor job of narration. I would certainly read other books by her, but I would not listen if she reads them.