An Empire of Plants by Toby Musgrave
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.
Dr Toby Musgrave is a garden designer and historian, with keen interest in the social aspects of economic botany. Toby is co-author of the highly successful book The Plant Hunters, published by Cassell Illustrated, and the author of Courtyard Gardens. Will Musgrave is an archaeologies and historian with a special interest in plant history and garden archaeology. Co-author of The Plant Hunters, he is also fascinated by Minoan civilisation and is currently working on a novel set in ancient Crete.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9781844030200 |
| ISBN 10 | 1844030202 |
| Title | An Empire of Plants |
| Author | Toby Musgrave |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Octopus Publishing Group |
| Year published | 2002-11-14 |
| Number of pages | 192 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |