Smoke And Ashes
Opium's Hidden Histories
Format:Paperback
Publisher:John Murray Press
Publishing:30th Jan '25
£10.99
This title is due to be published on 30th January, and will be despatched as soon as possible.
The narrative of Smoke and Ashes uncovers the historical significance of opium, detailing its influence on economies, cultures, and personal identity throughout history.
In Smoke and Ashes, the Booker-shortlisted author of the Ibis trilogy delves into the profound impact of opium on global history, economies, and cultures. The narrative explores how the British Empire profited immensely from the opium trade, particularly during the nineteenth century, exporting vast quantities from India and waging wars to secure market access. This not only led to a devastating addiction crisis in China but also shaped the wealth of modern cities like Mumbai, Singapore, and Shanghai.
The book presents a sweeping story of greed and power, illustrating how opium has influenced various facets of life, from architecture to gardens, and even modern warfare. Ghosh's exploration is not just historical; it intertwines with his personal understanding of self, making the narrative deeply resonant and reflective. His big-picture thinking has garnered acclaim, establishing Smoke and Ashes as a significant contribution to the discourse surrounding the opium trade.
Critics have praised Ghosh for his ability to lay bare the complexities of the British Empire's opium trade, shedding light on its shameful legacy. The writing is lauded for its clarity and depth, while the thorough research adds to the book's credibility. Smoke and Ashes is both expansive and thoughtful, offering a chilling perspective on the historical ramifications of opium that continues to echo in contemporary society.
An acerbic, compelling and always accessible account of how opium corrupted the world * TLS *
Ghosh has reinvented himself as a superlative commodity historian. In his new role, he has surpassed many seasoned historians in his ability to synthesise a wealth of research with remarkable intellectual clarity and suggestive simplicity . . . There's a quietly subversive element to Smoke and Ashesfor which Ghosh deserves to be commended * The Times *
The book gave me a deeper chill than any of the TV series about the opioid crisis I had viewed before reading it . . . The writing is sublime, the research thorough, the eye for story superb, and there are splashes of personal back story that underscore the sincerity of the author's arguments * Sunday Telegraph *
A riveting new history of opium, a lucrative and destructive flower . . . Amitav Ghosh's sweeping, forcefully written Smoke and Ashes covers centuries in the life of the plant * Washington Post *
Globe-trotting and history-spanning . . . Experimental . . . ambitious . . . a literary medley . . . traces the story of the opium trade from past to present. * Standard *
A skilled storyteller, Ghosh triumphs in laying out the shame of the British empire's opium trade for all to see . . . [Smoke and Ashes is] a catalogue of colonial rapaciousness * Financial Times *
A unique blend of memoir, travel diary and sweeping historical account of one of the most precious and devastating commodities: opium . . . it reads like a page turning thriller at points. Taking Opium as the central strand, covering Britain, India and China, themes of power, politics, large corporations and familial dynasties, the impact of colonialism and the catastrophe of the global drug trade * Glamour *
An ambitious work of nonfiction documenting the devastating effects of a single commodity - the narcotic poppy - from the past to the present * Guardian *
A gripping, true tale of profits, power and powerlessness wrought by drugs . . . the history of the opium trade helps explain the modern world . . . an elegant history . . . [Ghosh] tells his intricate story with verve * The Economist *
What sets Smoke and Ashes apart is how Ghosh brings the past in conversation with the present * New Humanist *
A sweeping, and personal, account of the immense effect the opium trade has had on world history and how it continues to impact our lives today. * Financial Times *
ISBN: 9781529349269
Dimensions: 196mm x 128mm x 30mm
Weight: 300g
416 pages