[PDF] Robert Fortune eBook

Author : Alistair Watt
Publisher : Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 42,7 MB
Release : 2017
Category : Biography & Autobiography
ISBN : 9781842466193

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This is the first full biography of the great Scottish plant collector Robert Fortune, famous for working in China and Japan from 1843 until 1861. This detailed presentation of his life includes an extensive analysis of his travels, plant collections and introductions, including the first maps ever produced of his collecting itineraries in China. Watt reveals that in order for Fortune to travel into the interior of China in search of new garden plants for the (later, Royal) Horticultural Society of London he had to adopt Chinese disguise, as it had been forbidden for Europeans to leave the confines of a few coastal Treaty ports. After the successful first expedition, Fortune made four more journeys to the Far East, including China, Taiwan and Japan in search of horticultural novelties. He succeeded admirably and very many of his discoveries are garden plants today. Two of his major expeditions were made in the employ of the British East India Company to aid the introduction of the tea industry into India and another expedition was carried out to investigate a possible tea industry in the USA. It has been a commonly accepted theme that Fortune was in some way 'a tea thief' and a 'spy'; the research in this book shows a completely different story. Using much new material Watt sets out to give a full account of the man, his explorations in 19th century China and the plants that he introduced into our gardens.

Author : Robert Fortune
Publisher :
Page : 480 pages
File Size : 43,13 MB
Release : 1847
Category : History
ISBN :

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Three Years' Wanderings in the Northern Provinces of China : Including a Visit to the Tea, Silk, And Cotton Countries: With an Account of the Agriculture of the Chinese, New Plants, Etc by Robert Fortune, first published in 1847, is a rare manuscript, the original residing in one of the great libraries of the world. This book is a reproduction of that original, which has been scanned and cleaned by state-of-the-art publishing tools for better readability and enhanced appreciation. Restoration Editors' mission is to bring long out of print manuscripts back to life. Some smudges, annotations or unclear text may still exist, due to permanent damage to the original work. We believe the literary significance of the text justifies offering this reproduction, allowing a new generation to appreciate it.

Author : Sarah Rose
Publisher : Penguin
Page : 272 pages
File Size : 21,87 MB
Release : 2010-03-18
Category : History
ISBN : 1101190019

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A dramatic historical narrative of the man who stole the secret of tea from China In 1848, the British East India Company, having lost its monopoly on the tea trade, engaged Robert Fortune, a Scottish gardener, botanist, and plant hunter, to make a clandestine trip into the interior of China—territory forbidden to foreigners—to steal the closely guarded secrets of tea horticulture and manufacturing. For All the Tea in China is the remarkable account of Fortune's journeys into China—a thrilling narrative that combines history, geography, botany, natural science, and old-fashioned adventure. Disguised in Mandarin robes, Fortune ventured deep into the country, confronting pirates, hostile climate, and his own untrustworthy men as he made his way to the epicenter of tea production, the remote Wu Yi Shan hills. One of the most daring acts of corporate espionage in history, Fortune's pursuit of China's ancient secret makes for a classic nineteenth-century adventure tale, one in which the fate of empires hinges on the feats of one extraordinary man.

Author : Robert H. Frank
Publisher : Princeton University Press
Page : 202 pages
File Size : 31,76 MB
Release : 2017-09-26
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 0691178305

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From New York Times bestselling author and economics columnist Robert Frank, a compelling book that explains why the rich underestimate the importance of luck in their success, why that hurts everyone, and what we can do about it How important is luck in economic success? No question more reliably divides conservatives from liberals. As conservatives correctly observe, people who amass great fortunes are almost always talented and hardworking. But liberals are also correct to note that countless others have those same qualities yet never earn much. In recent years, social scientists have discovered that chance plays a much larger role in important life outcomes than most people imagine. In Success and Luck, bestselling author and New York Times economics columnist Robert Frank explores the surprising implications of those findings to show why the rich underestimate the importance of luck in success—and why that hurts everyone, even the wealthy. Frank describes how, in a world increasingly dominated by winner-take-all markets, chance opportunities and trivial initial advantages often translate into much larger ones—and enormous income differences—over time; how false beliefs about luck persist, despite compelling evidence against them; and how myths about personal success and luck shape individual and political choices in harmful ways. But, Frank argues, we could decrease the inequality driven by sheer luck by adopting simple, unintrusive policies that would free up trillions of dollars each year—more than enough to fix our crumbling infrastructure, expand healthcare coverage, fight global warming, and reduce poverty, all without requiring painful sacrifices from anyone. If this sounds implausible, you'll be surprised to discover that the solution requires only a few, noncontroversial steps. Compellingly readable, Success and Luck shows how a more accurate understanding of the role of chance in life could lead to better, richer, and fairer economies and societies.

Author : Mrs. Oliphant (Margaret)
Publisher : Prabhat Prakashan
Page : 420 pages
File Size : 18,16 MB
Release : 2023-10-01
Category : Fiction
ISBN :

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Embark on an intriguing journey through the pages of "Sir Robert's Fortune" by Mrs. Oliphant (Margaret), a captivating tale of intrigue, romance, and the pursuit of wealth in Victorian England. Prepare to be swept away by Mrs. Oliphant's masterful storytelling as she transports readers to the opulent world of Victorian society, where wealth and status reign supreme. Follow the gripping plot points as Sir Robert, a wealthy and enigmatic aristocrat, navigates the complexities of inheritance and the machinations of those seeking to claim his fortune. Delve into the themes of love, betrayal, and redemption as Mrs. Oliphant explores the intricacies of human relationships and the consequences of greed and ambition. Through rich character development and vivid prose, she paints a vivid portrait of a bygone era, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the drama and intrigue of Sir Robert's world. Character analysis offers insight into the motivations and aspirations of the novel's protagonists, from the enigmatic Sir Robert to the determined heroine who dares to challenge the status quo. Each character is brought to life with depth and complexity, allowing readers to empathize with their struggles and triumphs as they navigate the twists and turns of fate. The overall tone of "Sir Robert's Fortune" is one of mystery and suspense, as Mrs. Oliphant keeps readers guessing until the very end. With its blend of romance, intrigue, and social commentary, this novel offers something for everyone, whether you're a fan of historical fiction or literary drama. Critically acclaimed for its richly drawn characters and compelling narrative, "Sir Robert's Fortune" has earned praise from readers and critics alike for its timeless themes and engaging storytelling. Mrs. Oliphant's keen observations of human nature and her ability to craft a compelling narrative make this novel a cherished favorite for readers around the world. Targeted towards readers with a love for Victorian literature and historical romance, "Sir Robert's Fortune" appeals to a diverse audience seeking a captivating story that transports them to another time and place. Whether you're a seasoned fan of Mrs. Oliphant's work or discovering her writing for the first time, this novel promises to enchant and delight. As you immerse yourself in the pages of "Sir Robert's Fortune," prepare to be swept away by the drama and intrigue of Victorian England. Let Mrs. Oliphant's evocative prose and richly drawn characters transport you to a world of romance, betrayal, and redemption that will linger in your mind long after the final page is turned. Don't miss your chance to experience the magic of "Sir Robert's Fortune." Grab your copy today and lose yourself in the captivating world of Mrs. Oliphant's Victorian masterpiece.

Author : Mrs. Oliphant
Publisher : Good Press
Page : 474 pages
File Size : 36,82 MB
Release : 2021-05-19
Category : Fiction
ISBN :

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This work of fiction by Margaret Oliphant narrates the story of Lily Ramsay, a twenty-two-year-old girl who Lily is a caretaker of her gloomy uncle, Sir Robert Ramsay. It's decided that if she is obedient in every way, Sir Robert will leave her his fortune. But when Lily falls in love with an indigent barrister, Ronald Lumsden, Sir Robert disapproves of Ronald and sends Lily away from Edinburgh to an isolated Highland moor where he has an old place. Without caring about the money, Lily keeps her faith that Ronald will marry her and move with her to a better place, but Ronald is a diplomatic man. He advises Lily to be patient in the matter of marriage because of his selfish plans. Several significant events follow, including a shattering one, yet, Lily still has some hope to stick to. Mrs. Oliphant (1828-97) was a talented Scottish novelist and a historical writer whose works surround domestic realism, the historical novel, and tales of the supernatural.

Author : Sarah Rose
Publisher : Random House
Page : 287 pages
File Size : 45,41 MB
Release : 2013-12-16
Category : History
ISBN : 1448183987

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Robert Fortune was a Scottish gardener, botanist, plant hunter - and industrial spy. In 1848, the East India Company engaged him to make a clandestine trip into the interior of China - territory forbidden to foreigners - to steal the closely guarded secrets of tea. For centuries, China had been the world's sole tea manufacturer. Britain purchased this fuel for its Empire by trading opium to the Chinese - a poisonous relationship Britain fought two destructive wars to sustain. The East India Company had profited lavishly as the middleman, but now it was sinking, having lost its monopoly to trade tea. Its salvation, it thought, was to establish its own plantations in the Himalayas of British India. There were just two problems: India had no tea plants worth growing, and the company wouldn't have known what to do with them if it had. Hence Robert Fortune's daring trip. The Chinese interior was off-limits and virtually unknown to the West, but that's where the finest tea was grown - the richest oolongs, soochongs and pekoes. And the Emperor aimed to keep it that way.

Author : Patrick C. MacCulloch
Publisher : Missouri History Museum
Page : 352 pages
File Size : 19,48 MB
Release : 2009
Category : Biography & Autobiography
ISBN : 1883982677

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"A descendant of mountain man Robert Campbell's family has drawn on his forebears' papers to share insight into their lives and the distribution of a massive fortune"--Provided by publisher.

Author : Robert K. Brown
Publisher : Casemate
Page : 463 pages
File Size : 24,51 MB
Release : 2013-07-12
Category : Biography & Autobiography
ISBN : 1612001947

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The founder of Soldier of Fortune magazine tells his own story, from Green Beret to trailblazing combat zone journalist. In 1975, former Green Beret Robert K. Brown found his true calling as the publisher of an upstart magazine called Soldier of Fortune. Brown pushed the bounds of journalism with his untamed brand of reporting—a camera in one hand, a gun in the other. He quickly established a worldwide community as his notorious magazine drew the avid attention of action-seekers across the globe. Brown and his combat journalists embedded themselves with anti-Communist guerillas and freedom fighters, often training and fighting alongside the groups they reported on. Brown himself accompanied teams to work and fight with the Rhodesians; the Afghans during the Afghan-Russo war; Christian Phalange in Lebanon; ethnic minority Karens in Burma; the ethnic tribes fighting the Communist government of Laos; the army of El Salvador; and the armed forces of struggling Croatia. Brown also sent medical teams to Burma, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Afghanistan, Bosnia, El Salvador. and Nicaragua, as well as Peru after a devastating earthquake. In I Am Soldier of Fortune, the exploits of Brown and his veteran teams are revealed for the first time in all their gonzo glory, even as the US military, public, and polite diplomatic society sometimes shunned their endeavors.