Synopses & Reviews
Tobacco was first cultivated and enjoyed by the indigenous inhabitants of the Americas, who used it for medicinal, religious, and social purposes long before the arrival of Columbus. But when Europeans began to colonize the American continents, it became something else entirely -- a cultural touchstone of pleasure and success, and a coveted commodity that would transform the world economy forever. Iain Gately's Tobacco tells the epic story of an unusual plant and its unique relationship with the history of humanity, from its obscure ancient beginnings, through its rise to global prominence, to its current embattled state today. In a lively narrative, Gately makes the case for the tobacco trade being the driving force behind the growth of the American colonies, the foundation of Dutch trading empire, the underpinning cause of the African slave trade, and the financial basis for our victory in the American Revolution. Informed and erudite, Tobacco is a vivid and provocative look into the complex history of this precious plant. "A rich, complex history ... Deeply engaging and witty." -- Carmela Ciuraru, Los Angeles Times "Ambitious ... informative and perceptive ... Gately is an amusing writer, which is a blessing." -- Jonathan Yardley, The Washington Post "[Gately] documents the resourcefulness with which human beings of every class, religion, race, and continent have pursued the lethal leaf." -- John Leland, The New York Times Book Review
Review
"A rich, complex history....Deeply engaging and witty." Carmela Ciuraru, Los Angeles Times
Review
"Ambitious...informative and perceptive....Gately is an amusing writer, which is a blessing." Jonathan Yardley, The Washington Post
Review
"[Gately] documents the resourcefulness with which human beings of every class, religion, race, and continent have pursued the lethal leaf....Amid the tragedy of tobacco is an age-old love story. Gately compiles its coos and sighs, alongwith the exquisite cigarettes after." John Leland, The New York Times Book Review
Review
"Tobacco's...roller-coaster journey is the subject of Gately's excellent biography of the smoker's bewitching mistress....[He]presents this eventful tale with lucid, if partisan, eloquence." Peter Ingham, the Times (London)
Synopsis
Includes bibliographical references (p. [385]-387) and index.
Table of Contents
1.To breathe is to inhale --2.Confrontation --3.Transmission --4.Bewitched --5.Middlemen and foreign bottoms --6.Magic dust --7.Come the revolution --8.Bandoleros, scum and dandies --9. TheAmerican preference --10. Aclass is born --11.Automatic for the people --12.Of cats and camels --13.Stars --14.Verboten --15. Thespy who loved me --16.Tumours --17.Blowing bubbles --18.Man and superman --19.Hunde, wolt ihr ewig leben?