The Opium War - How the Chinese Qing Dynasty Got Poisoned For Profit Imagine a world where a single commodity holds the power to unravel an empire. A substance that is so strong, so addictive, it courses through the veins of a whole civilization, making merchants into monarchs, emperors into desperate bargainers. This is the story of opium in China — a story not just of drugs and war, but also of greed, diplomacy and unintended consequences. If we take the long view, 19th century China was an altogether self-sufficient superpower. The Qing Dynasty, with its inflexible traditions and isolationist practices, ruled over a formidable and prosperous empire. Chinese silk, porcelain, and, most of all, tea were in high demand in Britain. The problem was that the British, for all their industrial advancements, had little to offer in return that the Chinese actually wanted. The balance of trade was embarrassingly one-sided. Silver poured east, and Britain grew more sore. Enter opium. Grab a copy of this book now!
