Seeds of Change - Softcover

Hobhouse, Henry

3.84

594 ratings by Goodreads

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0330493167 ISBN 13: 9780330493161

Publisher: Pan Books, 2002

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They are Quinine, that allowed Europeans to dominate the Tropics; Sugar, that changed the Caribbean population from Red Arawaks and Caribs to White Masters and Black Slaves; Tea, that inter alia, led to the destruction of classical China through the use by traders of opium in exchange for tea; Cotton, that, like sugar in the Caribbean, led to a slave-economy in the Southern United States; and finally, the Potato, which produced huge increases in the Irish population and, when disease struck the potato, famine followed as did the greening of some of the United States. Through the histories of these five key crops, Hobhouse demonstrates how man's need, or greed, for these products has changed the face of history and shaped destinies. 'This marvellous book is hard to beat.' Sunday Telegraph 'Fascinating ... makes you think about the mysterious and often paradoxical ways in which providence operates' Daily Mail 'A wonderful read, provocative and well-informed' Independent

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From the Publisher:

Update
The first edition of Seeds of Change traced the history of five commercial plants - sugar, tea, cotton, potatoes and quinine. This new edition includes a chapter on another historically fascinating plant - the Coca. Henry Hobhouse demonstrates how man's need, or greed, for these products has changed the face of history and shaped destinies.

'This marvellous book is hard to beat.' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

'Fascinating ...Henry Hobhouse's book makes you think about the mysterious and often paradoxical ways in which providence operates.' DAILY MAIL

'A wonderful read, provocative and well-informed.' INDEPENDENT

'You cannot help but admire and enjoy the company of a man who takes such a novel and global view of history....Seeds of Change is a mind-opener.' SPECTATOR

'The clever dashes across historical disciplinary lines he makes are both audacious and - this is the hallmark of their validity - obvious once made.' GUARDIAN

'I find Hobhouse's theories fascinating ... The perceptions and information that he passes on along the way are a great part of the book's charm and interest...What a delightful and revealing book. I warmly recommend it.' DAILY TELEGRAPH

About the Author:

Henry Hobhouse has served on various academic, scholastic and local government bodies. He has been a member of various government advisory bodies, a consultant to the Quincentenary of Columbus Exhibition, the Smithsonian Institute and Chariman of Herstmonceux. His other books include Forces Of Change.

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