It’s hard to know how to rate this. The subject matter is abhorrent. Western nations literally shoving opium down the throats of resisting residents oIt’s hard to know how to rate this. The subject matter is abhorrent. Western nations literally shoving opium down the throats of resisting residents of Formosa. The mental gymnastics of these men to justify their brutal trade, racism, and colonization is indicative of their day and a window into their era and an antecedent to our modern woes. ...more
As far as audio adaptations go this one was pretty good. The voice actors were decent. Marty Ross cleaned up some things in the original. An enjoyableAs far as audio adaptations go this one was pretty good. The voice actors were decent. Marty Ross cleaned up some things in the original. An enjoyable couple of hours. ...more
Amazing book. Often, books of historical importance are inaccessible, poorly written or boring. Not so this. One of the best I have ever read. PhilosoAmazing book. Often, books of historical importance are inaccessible, poorly written or boring. Not so this. One of the best I have ever read. Philosophical, visceral, real. ...more
I have read many books about clipper ships and the age of sail. This one is possibly the best.
Ujifusa is both comprehensive in his treatment of the cI have read many books about clipper ships and the age of sail. This one is possibly the best.
Ujifusa is both comprehensive in his treatment of the clipper trade, and intentionally focused on the prominent east coast families who helped found it. Famous names get bandied about like Forbes and Delano, and it quickly becomes apparent just how important these ships and the companies that built them were to American progress in the mid 19th century.
Barons of the Sea portrays the inflection point of U.S. involvement in international trade. It threads the routes between the Opium Wars, China, the United States, the California gold rush, and Australia with steady vigilance.
Unlike other writers of historical nonfiction, this author is not afraid of accessibility. He goes to great pains, and in fact, appears to relish in the perceived historical details of the characters he describes.
What results is a very readable book about a fascinating portion of American maritime history. I recommend it. ...more
In some ways, I felt that the addendum added on in 1888 about life in Gold Rush California was more interesting than the journey itself. The journey cIn some ways, I felt that the addendum added on in 1888 about life in Gold Rush California was more interesting than the journey itself. The journey consists mostly of disparaging comments about the residents of Mexico, trading for things, cactus, running out of food and water, and stealing/having things stolen from them all the way to San Diego. There are plenty of things to learn here, but I didn't find them as enjoyable as the tales of treachery Smith encounters around San Francisco....more
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