Accessible, and takes time to mention the issues behind the war. Fascinating in a horrible way really to think the British empire went to war to sell what we know of today as raw heroin and yet still manage to moralize while invading.

Particularly enjoyed a few comments on the rise of the prohibition lobby (who in many ways are still with us today, albeit in a different form) and the types of characters that championed it. I think this type of background information may well of taken up some of the space that could of been used for detail on the second opium war, but personally I think it's a sacrifice that was overall worth while to see things in some kind of context. ( )

excellent book about the opium war, it has complete maps and exciting story-telling. It is well-written and very informative. ( )