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Amitav Ghosh's "Smoke And Ashes: Opium's Hidden Histories" offers a riveting exploration of the global opium trade's far-reaching impact. This meticulously researched work delves into opium's intricate connections with furniture, architecture, gardens, and modern warfare, showcasing Ghosh's remarkable ability to weave together disparate threads of history.
The narrative exposes the British Empire's ruthless exploitation of India's opium production, detailing the wars fought to maintain market dominance and the devastating addiction crisis inflicted upon China. Ghosh masterfully illustrates how opium's influence shaped the development of bustling metropolises like Mumbai, Singapore, and Shanghai, whilst also lining the coffers of America's most influential families and institutions.
Critics have lauded Ghosh's work, with The New York Times Book Review hailing it as "a huge achievement" and praising his big-picture thinking. The Financial Times commends Ghosh for "laying out the shame of the British Empire's opium trade for all to see", while The Sunday Telegraph describes the writing as "sublime" and the research as "thorough".
This captivating account not only unravels the complex tapestry of opium's hidden histories but also intertwines with Ghosh's personal narrative, offering readers a uniquely intimate perspective on this global phenomenon. "Smoke And Ashes" stands as a testament to Ghosh's intellectual prowess and storytelling finesse, cementing his position as a luminary in the realm of historical non-fiction.
Book ISBN: | 9781529349269 |
Book Author: | Amitav Ghosh |
Book Format: | Paperback / softback |
Book Imprint: | John Murray Publishers Ltd |
Book Publisher: | John Murray Press |
Book Dimensions: | 197 x 130 x 34 cm |
Book Publication Date: | 2025-01-30 |
Book Pagination: | 416 pages |
Book Weight: | 306g |
Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.
This is a shop where you might find something you haven’t seen before, and we like to think we’ve got something for everyone. We choose each of our books with care and for a reason. This is because our physical store is small but beautifully formed, holding only around 1200 titles at any one time. We try and recreate the feel of the shop wherever we are online, to reflect our niche categories and personality.
We have an active social media presence and aim to share our story with all our friends. The long-term goal is to build a hub for the books and writers we believe in. Who knows where our adventure will lead but by supporting Sherlock & Pages you’re helping us to add a further layer of magic to our little corner of the world. If you haven’t visited our physical store, one day you might just make a literary pilgrimage down to Somerset.
Our tagline is ‘Long Live the Hedgerows’ and our symbol a hibernating dormouse. If you want to support an independent with a unique character and which will share stories with you for years to come, then choose Sherlock & Pages. The world needs bookshops with soul, for they are ‘citadels of light.’
Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.
This is a shop where you might find something you haven’t seen before, and we like to think we’ve got something for everyone. We choose each of our books with care and for a reason. This is because our physical store is small but beautifully formed, holding only around 1200 titles at any one time. We try and recreate the feel of the shop wherever we are online, to reflect our niche categories and personality.
We have an active social media presence and aim to share our story with all our friends. The long-term goal is to build a hub for the books and writers we believe in. Who knows where our adventure will lead but by supporting Sherlock & Pages you’re helping us to add a further layer of magic to our little corner of the world. If you haven’t visited our physical store, one day you might just make a literary pilgrimage down to Somerset.
Our tagline is ‘Long Live the Hedgerows’ and our symbol a hibernating dormouse. If you want to support an independent with a unique character and which will share stories with you for years to come, then choose Sherlock & Pages. The world needs bookshops with soul, for they are ‘citadels of light.’