Books matching: east india company
35 result(s)
- #1
Save:'The Anarchy: The East India Company, Corporate Violence, and the Pillage of an Empire' by William Dalrymple is a historical narrative detailing the rise of the East India Company and its takeover of the Indian subcontinent. The book covers events from the late 16th century to the early 19th century, focusing on the Company's exploitation of political disunity, military tactics, and economic conquest to amass wealth and power. Dalrymple's writing style is described as vivid and clear, presenting a sordid picture of corporate greed, political manipulation, and cultural clashes during this tumultuous period in history.
Dalrymple weaves together accounts of key figures such as Robert Clive, Warren Hastings, Tipu Sultan, and Shah Alam, shedding light on their roles in the Company's expansion and the downfall of the Mughal Empire. Through extensive research and use of historical documents, the author paints a detailed narrative of how a small group of merchants from a distant land managed to overthrow one of the wealthiest and most powerful empires of the time, leaving a legacy of corporate power and exploitation in their wake.
On 24 September 1599, while William Shakespeare was pondering a draft of Hamlet in his house downriver from the Globe in Southwark, a mile to the north, barely twenty minutes’ walk across the Thames, ... John Keay's 'The Honourable Company: a History of the English East India Company' is a detailed account of how the British East India Company evolved from a trading enterprise to an influential arm of the British state. Keay meticulously charts the rise and fall of the Company over 213 years, showcasing its immense wealth and its intimate relationship with governing elites. The book delves into the complexities of the Company's commercial and political endeavors, shedding light on how it became the unofficial government of India by approximately 1650. Keay's narrative, although at times dense and detailed, paints a vivid picture of the lucrative yet often chaotic history of the Company.
Every overseas empire had to begin somewhere. A flag had to be raised, territory claimed, and settlement attempted. In the dimly perceived conduct of a small band of bedraggled pioneers, stiff with sc...- #3
Save:The Devil's Company, part of the Benjamin Weaver series by David Liss, delves into the power struggle between the East India Trading Company and the English Government. Benjamin Weaver, the anti-hero, finds himself entangled in a complex web of espionage, deceit, and betrayal as he navigates through a world filled with English spies, French agents, and conflicting interests. The book weaves together historical facts with fiction, showcasing the excesses and competition faced by the East India Company in 18th century England.
The plot of The Devil's Company revolves around industrial espionage in the era of the cotton trade, focusing on Absalom Pepper's plans to develop a revolutionary cloth-weaving engine using cotton from the American colonies. Benjamin Weaver is caught in the middle of this intrigue, facing challenges from various parties with conflicting agendas while trying to protect his family and friends. The narrative is multilayered, showcasing the struggle for entrepreneurship amidst a backdrop of political and economic turmoil in England during that time.
I begin this tale in November of 1722, some eight months after the events of the general election of which I have previously written. The rancid waters of politics had washed over London, and indeed t...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Benjamin Weaver ) - #4
Save:The Strangler Vine is an old-fashioned adventure book combined with historical fiction, set in 1830s India during British colonization. The story follows two main characters, William Avery and Jeremiah Blake, on a mission to find a missing poet who has been researching the criminal gang Thugee. As they navigate through the perilous Indian landscape, encountering bandits, treachery, and danger, they uncover a sinister plot involving the East India Company and the oppressive policies in place. The book is filled with thrilling fight scenes, a tense tiger hunt, and vivid descriptions of the political intrigues in both Indian courts and British military headquarters.
The narrative style is reminiscent of classic adventure tales, with a focus on the journey and chase elements of the plot. The relationship between the two protagonists, Avery and Blake, evolves from mutual dislike to a close bond as they unravel the mysteries surrounding the missing poet and confront the harsh realities of British imperialism in India. The Strangler Vine offers a blend of action, mystery, and historical details that transport the reader to the complex world of 19th-century India, highlighting the struggles of the native population under British rule.
‘Music from the feast drifted over the palace’s lakes through the open window of the Maharanee’s rooms. Had the events of the evening been possible? Had she imagined the fire in the Sheikh’s eyes, the... A devout and resourceful young clerk, Jacob de Zoet, arrives in Dejima, an artificial island in Nagasaki Harbor, in 1799, hoping to earn a fortune to win the hand of his wealthy fiancee in Holland. However, his original intentions are eclipsed when he encounters Orito Aibagawa, a disfigured daughter of a samurai doctor and midwife to the city's powerful magistrate. The novel explores themes of morality, corruption, love triangles, mysterious cults, murder, and the clash of cultures in a historical setting.
David Mitchell departs from his previous work by presenting a straight, chronological novel with a wealth of characters, including a moral Dutchman striving to make his fortune in a corrupt world, a Japanese midwife admired by multiple suitors, and a mysterious Japanese monastic cult. The story unfolds in an intricate web of deceit, honor, tragedy, and cultural conflicts, set against the backdrop of the closed-off Japan of the late 1700s and early 1800s.
There is no pulse. 'The baby is dead,' Orito answers, in the same language, 'and the mother will die soon, if the child is not delivered.' She places her fingertips on Kawasemi's distended belly and p...- #6
Save:'For All the Tea in China' by Sarah Rose is a captivating non-fiction book that delves into the historical events of industrial espionage and colonial exploitation surrounding the tea trade between China and India in the 19th century. The narrative follows the adventures of Robert Fortune, an intrepid botanist, as he embarks on a daring mission to steal tea plants and expertise from China, ultimately revolutionizing the tea industry in India. The book is praised for its engaging storytelling that brings to life the audacious journey of Fortune and the broader socio-economic impacts of this significant historical event.
The poppy, Papaver somniferum, was processed into opium, a narcotic used widely throughout the Orient in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The drug was grown and manufactured in India, a subcon... - #7
Save:'Batavia's Graveyard: The True Story of the Mad Heretic Who Led History's Bloodiest Mutiny' by Mike Dash is a harrowing true account of a mutiny and shipwreck involving the Dutch East India Company's ship Batavia in the 17th century. The story unfolds on Beacon Island near Australia, where survivors faced barbaric rule and mass killings led by a charismatic but deranged ship's officer. Dash's writing style brings to life the dreadful descent into evil of the shipwrecked survivors, highlighting the flaws in human personalities that fueled the violent events.
Cornelisz came originally from Friesland, one of the most isolated and northerlyof the United Provinces. It was a place apart, largely rural and with borders so wellprotected by a dense barrier of pea... - #8
Save:'Thousand Autumns: Qian Qiu Vol. 1' by Meng Xi Shi is a captivating story that delves into the complex relationship between Yan Wushi and Shen Qiao, set against a backdrop of politics, history, and philosophy. The book skillfully navigates through heavier themes while maintaining a humorous undertone, showcasing the amazing character development of Yan Wushi and Shen Qiao. The narrative follows the progression of their relationship from enemies to potential lovers, with contrasting personalities that lead to continuous clashes and shifts in dynamics.
The author's writing style in 'Thousand Autumns: Qian Qiu Vol. 1' is praised for its ability to draw readers into a world filled with vivid supporting characters and valuable life lessons. The slow burn romance between Yan Wushi and Shen Qiao is subtly woven into the storyline, offering a unique love story that focuses on the journey of the characters rather than traditional romantic tropes. The book presents a rich and well-developed world of wuxia, with steady character arcs and a narrative that evolves in complexity as the story progresses.
- #9
Save:A Rising Man by Abir Mukherjee is a historical mystery set in Calcutta, India in 1919, during the British Raj period. The story follows Captain Sam Wyndham, a detective from Scotland Yard, who arrives in Calcutta to investigate the murder of a British official. As Wyndham delves into the case, he navigates through a backdrop of political tensions, corruption, and cultural complexities of colonial India. The plot unfolds with intriguing twists and turns, revealing a rich tapestry of characters and a vivid portrayal of the setting. The writing style captures the essence of the time period, blending elements of mystery, historical detail, and character development to create a compelling narrative that immerses readers in the world of post-WWI Calcutta.
A crowd of natives had gathered. A motley collection of gawkers, hawkers and housewives. They jostled and pushed ever closer, eager to catch a glimpse of the corpse. Word had spread quickly. It always... - #10
Save:In "White Mughals," William Dalrymple tells the story of a tragic love affair between British Resident James A. Kirkpatrick and Khair un Nissa, a noble Persian Indian woman, set against the backdrop of 18th-century British India. The book provides a detailed account of the cultural integration and relationships between Europeans and Indians during this period, highlighting the complexities and nuances of colonial interactions. Dalrymple's writing style is described as captivating, immersive, and rich in historical detail, offering a unique insight into a lesser-known aspect of British history in India.
Outside, amid clouds of dust, squadrons of red-coated sepoys tramped along the hot, broad military road which led from the coast towards the cantonments at St Thomas’s Mount. Waiting in the shade of t...
