Marshall Poe
Marshall Poe
Peter Thilly, "The Opium Business: A History of Crime and Capitalism in Maritime China" (Stanford UP, 2022)
Peter Thilly, "The Opium Business: A History of Crime and Capitalism in Maritime China" (Stanford UP, 2022)
Peter Thilly, "The Opium Business: A History of Crime and Capitalism in Maritime China" (Stanford UP, 2022)
Sunday 14th May 2023
Dive into the hidden stories of China's opium trade with Peter Thilly's book 'The Opium Business' on 'New Books in Drugs, Addiction and Recovery'.
70 minutes
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Marshall Poe
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Get the buttons here!The Human Side of China's Opium Trade: Stories Beyond the Wars
Episode Overview
- Thilly's book provides a new perspective on the opium trade, focusing on the relationship between the state and local businesses
- The conversation offers a fascinating glimpse into the unique insights provided by the book, exploring the implications of opium's changing status
- Listeners will discover the untold stories that have shaped the region's history
- The Opium Business sheds light on the little-known social history of the opium trade in coastal southern Fujian province
- Thilly's thorough research provides a comprehensive timeline of opium's history in China, highlighting the different legalities and dynamics during various periods
The value is not in creating a taxonomy. The shifting landscape and the changing relationship between the state and illicit or non-illicit drug sellers, tax farmers and whatnot, is what's interesting and where the grounds for comparison are.
Ever wondered what really went on behind the scenes of China's infamous opium trade? This episode of 'New Books in Drugs, Addiction and Recovery' features an enlightening chat with Peter Thilly about his book, 'The Opium Business: A History of Crime and Capitalism in Maritime China'. Thilly takes us beyond the well-known tales of the Opium Wars and dives into the lesser-known social history of the opium trade in southern Fujian province.
You’ll hear about tax farmers, roving gangs, and even 'opium kings' who played key roles in this illicit business. Thilly’s meticulous research uncovers how opium transitioned from contraband to a taxable commodity, and then to a banned substance, shedding light on the complex relationship between the state and local businesses. This episode isn’t just for history buffs; it's for anyone curious about the human stories that shaped this dark chapter in China's past.
Tune in for a compelling look at the real people behind the opium trade and how their actions influenced modern Chinese history.