The Sugar Barons by Matthew Parker, Paperback, 9780099558453 | Buy online at The Nile
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The Sugar Barons

Author: Matthew Parker  

Paperback

Power, money and corruption in the British Empire- the English families for whom the sugar trade brought wealth beyond their wildest dreams

For 200 years after 1650 the West Indies were the most fought-over colonies in the world, as Europeans made and lost immense fortunes growing and trading in sugar - a commodity so lucrative that it was known as white gold.

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PRODUCT INFORMATION

Summary

Power, money and corruption in the British Empire- the English families for whom the sugar trade brought wealth beyond their wildest dreams

For 200 years after 1650 the West Indies were the most fought-over colonies in the world, as Europeans made and lost immense fortunes growing and trading in sugar - a commodity so lucrative that it was known as white gold.

Read more

Description

Power, money and corruption in the British Empire- the English families for whom the sugar trade brought wealth beyond their wildest dreamsFor 200 years after 1650 the West Indies were the most fought-over colonies in the world, as Europeans made and lost immense fortunes growing and trading in sugar - a commodity so lucrative that it was known as white gold.Young men, beset by death and disease, an ocean away from the moral anchors of life in Britain, created immense dynastic wealth but produced a society poisoned by war, sickness, cruelty and corruption.The Sugar Barons explores the lives and experiences of those whose fortunes rose and fell with the West Indian empire. From the ambitious and brilliant entrepreneurs, to the grandees wielding power across the Atlantic, to the inheritors often consumed by decadence, disgrace and madness, this is the compelling story of how a few small islands and a handful of families decisively shaped the British Empire.

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Critic Reviews

“Compelling, wonderful . . . The Sugar Barons is an exemplary book; history as it should be written”

Compelling, wonderful . . . The Sugar Barons is an exemplary book; history as it should be written Independent
Gripping . . . a compendium of greed, horrible ingenuity and wickedness, but also a fascinating and thoughtful social history -- William Dalrymple
A shocking tale of corruption and brutality ... an admirable and gripping history Sunday Times
Very impressive - a meticulously researched piece of work, and so engagingly written ... what a story! -- Andrea Levy, author of Small Island and Long Song
A tumultuous rollercoaster of a book ... Mr Parker tells an extraordinary, neglected and shameful history with gusto Economist

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About the Author

Born in Central America, Matthew Parker spent part of his childhood in the West Indies, acquiring a life-long fascination with the history of the region. Since graduating from Oxford, he has worked as an editorial consultant on a number of works of history, and written three bestselling books. He now lives with his family in east London.

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Back Cover

'A shocking tale of corruption and brutality . . . an admirable and gripping history ' Sunday Times ' Very impressive - a meticulously researched piece of work, and so engagingly written . . . what a story !' Andrea Levy, author of Small Island and Long Song The familiar image of the West Indies as paradise islands conceals a turbulent past. For 200 years after 1650 they were the most fought over colonies in the world, as Europeans made and lost immense fortunes growing and trading in sugar - a commodity so lucrative that it was known as white gold. Young men, beset by death and disease, an ocean away from the moral anchors of life in Britain created immense dynastic wealth but produced a society poisoned by war, sickness, cruelty and corruption. The Sugar Barons explores the lives and experiences of those whose fortunes rose and fell with the West Indian empire . From the ambitious and brilliant entrepreneurs, to the grandees wielding power across the Atlantic, to the inheritors often consumed by decadence, disgrace and madness, this is a compelling story of how a few small islands and a handful of families decisively shaped the British Empire. 'A fascinating and bloody tale. . . an antidote to the modern strain of neo-conservative history that says empire was rather a good thing' Financial Times 'A tumultuous rollercoaster of a book . . . Mr Parker tells an extraordinary, neglected and shameful history with gusto ' Economist 'A magnificent account of a bleak and torrid era, told with great humanity . . . as a portrait of the heat, horror and vanity of that time, The Sugar Barons is surely without equal ' Spectator

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Product Details

Publisher
Cornerstone | Windmill Books
Published
2nd February 2012
Pages
480
ISBN
9780099558453

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