Canton Days

The first comprehensive history of the British community in China from the mid-1700s to the end of the Opium War in 1842, this book challenges common assumptions about the British presence in China. Written in clear, lively prose, it will appeal to all readers interested in British imperial history and early modern China.

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Canton Days offers the first comprehensive history of the British community in China from the mid-1700s to the end of the Opium War in 1842. John Carroll challenges common assumptions about the British presence in China as he traces the lives and times of the expatriates at the heart of this vital center of trade and exchange. The author draws on a rich trove of archival sources to bring Canton and its leading figures to life. Written in clear, lively, and jargon-free prose, this book will appeal to academic and general readers interested in British imperial history, early modern Chinese history, imperialism and colonialism, and expatriate and sojourning communities.