Henry Hobhouse (1) (1924–2016)

A personal and highly original take on the history of six commercial plants, Seeds of Change illuminates how sugar, tea, cotton, the potato, quinine, and the cocoa plant have shaped our past. In this fascinating account, the impassioned Henry Hobhouse explains the consequences of these plants with attention-grabbing historical moments. While most records of history focus on human influence, Hobhouse emphasizes how plants too are a central and influential factor in the historical process. Seeds of Change is a captivating and invaluable addition to our understanding of modern culture.… (meer)

Like many books, this one must be read on more than one level. The technical information is good, the economic information is clear and forthright, but what makes this so interesting is the way he develops the story around the human psychological aspect. Personally, I think this is one of the most important books that a history person could read. It should be required reading for every history teacher! (And for those who don't think sugar is addictive, try to find a way of living in the modern world without it. We are now making chemical sweetners; are these not the methadones of sugar??)… (meer)

A short social history of six plants important in human development - quinine, cotton ,sugar(cane), tea, cotton and coca. Very readable and interesting although I have a few reservations in my areas of expertise which is a bit worrying for the overall content. Firstly I am unconvinced by the epidemiology of malaria discussed in the quinine section. Secondly in the section on sugar is (fatally?) flawed by Hobhouse's convinced adherence to the long discredited belief that sugar is addictive. Finally he confuses not just the false 'addiction ' of sugar but also the stimulants of habituation (tea , coffee) with the truly addictive tobacco and heroin. The section on coca , already weakened by this confusion leaps, from a discussion of the , fairly benign, use of coca leaves to pure cocaine with very little explanation.
My Folio society edition is a well made book with a very attractive cover and illustrations.
Overall interesting but....… (meer)