A history of opium usage in China, starting with the East India Company in Calcutta, and its monopoly over the opium trade. The great trading companies of Canton smuggled opium into mainland China despite Chinese bans on the product, finally forcing the Chinese government to fight the foreigners first, and later to open up the country. Very detailed and well researched. Excellent, almost dramatic, retelling of history. Makes you want to re-read 'Shogun' all over again!