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Tai-Pan: The Epic Novel of the Founding of Hong Kong Audiobook
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Publisher Description
The sweeping epic novel of the founding of Hong Kong, by the #1 New York Times bestselling author and unparalleled master of historical fiction, James Clavell
“There can only be one Tai-Pan.”
Dirk Struan rose from humble beginnings to build Struan & Company, also known as the Noble House, into the world’s largest Far East trading company. He is now the Tai-Pan—Supreme Leader—of all Tai-Pans in China. Along the way, however, he made a powerful enemy. Tyler Brock, Struan’s rival from their early opium-smuggling days, also heads a large trading fleet, second in size only to Struan’s. But it is not only silks and spices that drive their mutual companies’ wealth—the opium trade is still booming. War between England and China might be over, but the hostilities remain. Struan and Brock come to control much of England’s trade with China yet neither can control their desires or their hatred of each other. Over the years, their two families will cross paths, threatening to rip both apart, with reverberations that will echo across the generations.
Struan must fight to save his company and his family, or risk seeing everything he has created destroyed at the hands of his sworn enemy. Ambition, political intrigue, and love and lust weave their way throughout the novel the New York Times called, “grand entertainment…packed with action…with blood and sin, treachery and conspiracy, sex and murder.” East and West come together in an opulent and intricately plotted narrative. A tour-de-force of historical fiction, rich in detail yet eminently readable, Tai-Pan will stay with you long after the final page.
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"It has been at least 25 years since I first read this, and I am pleased to say that it holds up extremely well. The novel functions very well as both a fictionalized version of the birth of the Hong Kong colony and as a tale of adventure and intrigue. Vivid characters set against the contrast of East and West bring to life an era where Britain is dominant yet wary of the emerging powers that dominate today's world stage."
— Damian (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Grand entertainment…packed with action…gaudy and flamboyant with blood and sin, treachery and conspiracy, sex and murder…fresh and vigorous.”
— New York Times -
“Unforgettable!”
— Chicago Tribune -
“Clavell is, as always, a matchless tale-spinner.”
— Cosmopolitan -
“A fabulous epic of the Far East that will disturb and excite you…a thrilling and enticing tale of adventure and human relationships…dramatic episodes, exotic vignettes, and heady descriptive passages.”
— Baltimore Sun -
“Every five or six years there appears on the horizon a book so vast in scope, so peopled with bold, colorful characters, it eclipses other efforts…Such a book is Tai-Pan.”
— Pittsburgh Press
Awards
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An iBooks bestseller in Fiction & Literature
Tai-Pan Listener Reviews
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" Not as good as Shogun but still well written and worthwhile. Also set in Japan with rich history, characters and plotting. "
— Bryan, 2/16/2014 -
" The book equivalent of listening to Led Zeppelin II really loud over and over again. "
— John, 2/15/2014 -
" Good...but, not nearly as good as Shogun! "
— Joel, 2/4/2014 -
" One of my all-time favs!! "
— Richard, 1/18/2014 -
" Another fantastic story by James Clavell. He expertly draws the reader into the middle of the story, providing a realism that has one rooting for Dirk Struan and The Noble House throughout the entire book. A great story that keeps the reader personally involved in every page; I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a great story full of excitement, intrigue, sex, love, and murder (2.25). "
— Patrick, 1/11/2014 -
" Favorite, love the Clavell sagas. "
— Jeannette, 1/9/2014 -
" Not as polished as Shogun, but Clavell's ability to describe the details without overwhelming the reader still abound. Remarkable writer, and a fun read. "
— Daryl, 1/1/2014 -
" Full of fun historical facts, e.g., the ways that sailors in the 19th century avoided cholera. Unfortunately, in keeping with the time period, it is also full of women who can only be wise if silly, and they tend to get smacked around a lot. :-( It was slow going in the beginning, but I love a story set in the Far East! "
— Emily, 12/31/2013 -
" Not as good as Shogun, but good. "
— Sera, 12/28/2013 -
" Another Clavell masterpiece. Although not in the same league as Shogun, still a wonderfully written story that encompasses several cultures, classes, and misconceptions. Excellent "
— Jesse, 12/26/2013 -
" I have read this book about the founding of Hong Kong many times and just reread it in advance of Barton's trip to Hong Kong. It's simlpy great historical fiction! "
— Joann, 12/19/2013 -
" This is one of the easiest Clavell books and I recommend it to anyone. "
— Cameron, 12/4/2013 -
" My favourite Clavell. Great characters espescially Dirk and his Mei Mei "
— Stamatia, 12/1/2013 -
" Another wonderful novel by Clavell. "
— Marsha, 11/29/2013 -
" Same type of style used in Shogun, but different setting. This is set in the period right after England aquired Hong Kong from China, and is set among the merchant traders there. It sets up the family lines that come back in Noble House, Whirlwind, and Gai-Jin. A must read. "
— Ian, 11/22/2013 -
" Maybe better than Shogun. One of my faces. "
— carl, 11/17/2013 -
" Great historical book! I loved it! "
— Karen, 11/5/2013 -
" Truly a great novel, and wonderful swash-buckling historical novel about the early days of Hong Kong. It's been a long, long time since I read it, but I seem to recall leaping out of my chair and yelling "Yes!!" at the end. "
— Steve, 10/9/2013 -
" After reading Shogun I intended to real all of Clavell's offerings. "
— Chuck, 5/13/2013 -
" Read this one a very long time ago, but I enjoyed it. "
— Thea, 4/25/2013 -
" While Clavell's other Asian Saga books were compelling, swashbuckling psychodramas, Tai-Pan just seemed to me like a standard pirate tale. Meh. "
— Rev., 2/7/2013 -
" I liked all Clavell's history or geography oriented novels. "
— Patty, 1/20/2013 -
" Great book. Don't bother seeing the movie "
— Kent, 5/31/2012 -
" I'm working my way through this series again. The movie version of this was on TV this week and it reminded me how much I liked it the first time around. "
— Rae, 11/17/2011 -
" Took some time t re-read. Better than ever. "
— Alicia, 10/16/2011 -
" Still good, more about the Straun empire. Not nearly as good as Shogun. "
— Aaron, 10/1/2011 -
" The third novel by Clavell that I read that could be characterized as his Far East trilogy. Based on the life of American merchants trading on the island of Taipan in the early 19th century, this story is engrossing and historically accurate in its rendition. "
— J.f., 9/2/2011 -
" One of the greatest books in the world. Those who's fond of Chinese culture - and British culture at the same time, will understand me, as the whole plot is built around the collision and interaction of these two great worlds... "
— Lu, 5/27/2011 -
" Have read it before and enjoyed it. "
— Willow4, 5/18/2011 -
" My first Clavell book though I saw "King Rat" before I read this. Then saw parts of "Shogun" later. It's <br/>a very entertaining book but as far as historical "reality" goes who knows. The farther back you go... <br/>Date read is a guess. "
— Chris, 5/10/2011 -
" If you liked Shogun but thought it dragged a little (which it did), Tai-Pan is a tighter, more focused read about the Opium Trade. Finished its 800 pages in 2.5 days, the book barely left my hand. "
— David, 5/8/2011 -
" Strongly recommended! To anyone who wants to refresh history and change the angle of view on China! "
— Yuri, 4/21/2011 -
" Engrossing! I've read it 3 times. "
— doug, 4/6/2011 -
" I like this mans Historical fiction. "
— Jack, 4/1/2011 -
" Immersing, well written and a good read. Not quite as good as Shogun. "
— Matthew, 3/24/2011 -
" Great novel on the early history of Hong Kong! "
— Ingrid, 3/10/2011 -
" The best Clavell book I have read. Excellent read. "
— Chris, 2/25/2011 -
" Brilliant, but then again I am a fan. "
— John, 2/24/2011
About James Clavell
James Clavell (1921–1994) was a novelist, screenwriter, director, and World War II veteran and prisoner of war. He is best known for his epic Asian Saga novels, which launched with the 1962 bestseller King Rat, and their televised adaptations. He also wrote screenplays for such films as The Great Escape and The Fly, and was a writer, director, and producer on To Sir, with Love. His books Shogun, Noble House, Tai-Pan, and Whirlwind were #1 New York Times bestsellers.
About Gildart Jackson
Gildart Jackson’s acting credits span the stage and screen. He is most often recognized for his roles as Gideon on Charmed and Simon Prentiss on General Hospital. He has also starred in numerous television shows, including CSI and Vegas, and he played the lead in the highly acclaimed independent feature film You, directed by his wife, Melora Hardin.