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??) ( )

I loved this book - marvellously original and stimulating. Hobhouse presents history not from the normal standpoint of human leaders, its monarchs and generals, but from the perspective of world trade in 5 commodities: quinine, sugar, tea, cotton and the potato. He argues convincingly and with a wealth of anecdote that these products were the real driving forces of history. ( )