An Empire of Plants: People and Plants That Changed the World

by Musgrave, Toby; Musgrave, Will

• ISBN13: 9781844030200
• ISBN10: 1844030202
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-03-01
• Publisher: Octopus Pub Group

Summary

For centuries, from foodstuffs to industrial materials, plants have dominated trade between countries. Possession of rare spices, sweets, and narcotics could meand enviable wealth and power, so explorers ventured forth, risking death on unknown seas. Here are stories of seven plants--tobacco, sugar, cotton, tea, poppies, quinine, and rubber--and how Europe's hunger for them led to the Age of Empire and turned world history upside down. Not only did these crops ensure the commercial success of America and Europe, but they became the catalyst foasr piracy, smuggling, addiction, and the slave trade: the darker side of the golden profits. A beautiful presentation of a fascinating subject.

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Seeds of Wealth	6	(8)
Tobacco --- 'That Tawny Weed'	14	(22)
Cutting the Cane	36	(26)
The Kings of Cotton	62	(26)
The Tea Transfer	88	(28)
The Fume of Poppies	116	(24)
The Quest for Quinine	140	(22)
Riches from Rubber	162	(22)
Epilogue	184	(4)
Bibliography	188	(1)
Index	189	(3)
Acknowledgements	192