Coming Soon | The Lion and the Dragon by Mark Simner
The story of Britain’s devastating drug wars with China, fought between 1839-1842 and 1857-1860
• A new in-depth military history of the Anglo-Chinese Wars
• Written in a lively manner as if the author had witnessed events for himself
• Extensive use of primary and period sources, which present the reader with greater detail on the subject than ever before
• A large number of period images and maps, many of which have not appeared in print for over a century
During the mid-19th century, Britain and China would twice go to war over trade and opium in particular. The Chinese had become addicted to the narcotic, a habit that British merchants were more than happy to feed from their opium poppy fields in India. When the Qing dynasty rulers attempted to supress this trade – due to the serious social and economic problems it caused – the British Government responded with force. The first conflict, known as the First Anglo-Chinese War or First Opium War (1839-42), ended in British victory and the Treaty of Nanking. However, this treaty was heavily biased in favour of the British, and it would not be long before there was a renewal of hostilities, taking the form of what became known as the Second Anglo-Chinese War or Second Opium War (1856-60). Again, the second conflict would end with an ‘unequal treaty’ that was heavily biased towards the victor. The Lion and the Dragon: Britain’s Opium Wars with China 1839-1860 examines the causes and ensuing military history of these tragic conflicts, as well as their bitter legacies.
Bibliographic Information
Publication: February 2019
Price: £28.00/$45.00
ISBN: 978-1-78155-731-0
Size: 234 x 156 mm
Binding: Hardback
Extent: 304 pages
Illustrations: 50 mono
Rights: World, all languages
Press Information
Please contact the Publicity Department at Fonthill Media, tel. 01453 750505 or e-mail j.slater@fonthillmedia.com for further details.
Fonthill Media Limited, Stroud House, Russell Street, Stroud GL5 3AN.
