For All The Tea in China; How England Stole the World’s Favorite Drink and Changed History………… by Sarah Rose

This book is the true story of a 19th century botanist, Robert Fortune, who traveled undercover for the East India Company in Qing China to steal tea plants and trade secrets for England. It was the largest and most significant act of corporate espionage in the history of the world. For All the Tea in China is delightful to read.

Sarah Rose wrote this historical narrative like an adventure novel. Besides being full of interesting historical facts, the story has suspense, intrigue, exploitation and explorations. It’s a true story of corporate espionage where pirates, warlords and other eccentric characters lead us through exotic locations and tense situations. Where Victorian capitalism, botanical desire and a national addiction pushes nations into war and causes one man to risk his life for one plant, Camellia sinensis…TEA.

So brew yourself a nice cup of tea, sit down with this book and enjoy.
Carlotta Lucas
ACG Book Club & Blog Editor