China Bound: John Swire & Sons and Its World, 1816 - 1980

John Swire & Sons is a British firm that has been operating for two centuries, importing dyes, cotton, and apples from the Americas. It has a core focus on Asia and has been intertwined with developments in China since 1866. China Bound charts the story of the firm, its family owners and staff, its operations, its successes and its disasters, as it endured wars, uprisings, and revolutions, the rise and fall of empires, and the twists and turns of the global economy. It is an essential reading for anyone with an interest in global commerce and provides an intimate history that helps explain the shape of Asia today.

Format: Hardback
Length: 544 pages
Publication date: 05 March 2020
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

From its humble beginnings in Liverpool in 1816, John Swire & Sons has traversed a remarkable two-century journey, navigating through turbulent times and epochal transformations in technologies and societies. Initially, a small trading company focused on importing dyes, cotton, and apples from the Americas, it has evolved into a highly diversified conglomerate with interests spanning across the globe, with a primary focus on Asia. Since its inception, the company's destiny has been intricately intertwined with the developments in China, from the early days of steam to the advent of flight and the global movements of people and goods that shaped the modern world.

China Bound, a captivating new book by Robert Bickers, delves into the rich history of John Swire & Sons, its family owners, staff, operations, successes, and disasters. The book chronicles the firm's journey as it weathered wars, uprisings, revolutions, the rise and fall of empires—both Chinese and British—and the intricate twists and turns of the global economy. It is a story of a business that reshaped Hong Kong, pioneered Cathay Pacific Airways, dominated China's pre-Second World War shipping industry, and played a significant role in pioneering containerization.

Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Bickers presents a comprehensive account of the firm and its worlds—modern China, Britain, and the globalization that bound them together. The book explores the diverse cast of characters, including compradors, ship-owners, seamen, sugar travelers, tea-tasters, and stuff merchants, revolutionaries, pirates, and Taipans, who played pivotal roles in the company's growth and development. It sheds light on the complex relationships and interactions that shaped the business landscape, from the intricate trade networks to the political intrigues that unfolded on the international stage.

China Bound is an essential read for anyone with an interest in global commerce, providing a deep and intimate history that helps explain the shape of Asia today. The book offers a unique perspective on the historical forces that have shaped the region, from the rise of China as a global economic power to the impact of British colonialism and the subsequent waves of globalization. It provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics that have shaped the modern world, from the economic policies that drive trade to the cultural exchanges that shape societies.

In conclusion, John Swire & Sons has a remarkable story to tell, and China Bound is a masterful account of its journey through two centuries. Robert Bickers' book offers a captivating glimpse into the world of global commerce, providing a rich and detailed history that sheds light on the complex relationships and interactions that have shaped the modern world. Whether you are a business professional, an historian, or simply someone with an interest in global affairs, China Bound is a must-read that will deepen your understanding of the region and its role in shaping the world we live in today.

Weight: 1020g
Dimension: 164 x 244 x 46 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472949943