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Tai-Pan

The Epic Novel of the Founding of Hong Kong: The Asian Saga, Book 2

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Tai-Pan

By: James Clavell
Narrated by: Gildart Jackson
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About this listen

The sweeping epic novel of the founding of Hong Kong, by the #1 New York Times bestselling author and unparalleled master of historical fiction, James Clavell

“There can only be one Tai-Pan.”

Dirk Struan rose from humble beginnings to build Struan & Company, also known as the Noble House, into the world’s largest Far East trading company. He is now the Tai-Pan—Supreme Leader—of all Tai-Pans in China. Along the way, however, he made a powerful enemy. Tyler Brock, Struan’s rival from their early opium-smuggling days, also heads a large trading fleet, second in size only to Struan’s. But it is not only silks and spices that drive their mutual companies’ wealth—the opium trade is still booming. War between England and China might be over, but the hostilities remain. Struan and Brock come to control much of England’s trade with China yet neither can control their desires or their hatred of each other. Over the years, their two families will cross paths, threatening to rip both apart, with reverberations that will echo across the generations.

Struan must fight to save his company and his family, or risk seeing everything he has created destroyed at the hands of his sworn enemy. Ambition, political intrigue, and love and lust weave their way throughout the novel the New York Times called, “grand entertainment…packed with action…with blood and sin, treachery and conspiracy, sex and murder.” East and West come together in an opulent and intricately plotted narrative. A tour-de-force of historical fiction, rich in detail yet eminently readable, Tai-Pan will stay with you long after the final moment.

©1966 James Clavell (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Fiction Historical Fiction Political War & Military War Thought-Provoking Military
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excellent

thought I might get annoyed with the narrator but persisted and ended up really enjoying his style . The story is just great accepting the plausibility of fictional ! highly recommended.

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5 people found this helpful

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A truly fantastic story, brilliantly read.

breathtaking story. James Clavell at his best.
Fantastic performance.
I highly recommend this series of books

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4 people found this helpful

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An absolute classic by God!

Brilliant story with brilliant narration . if you can't enjoy this one you need to be tied to the mainsail for a good flogging!

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3 people found this helpful

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Just brilliant thank you

Everything about this book is a joy the narration is perfect could not stop listening to it!

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1 person found this helpful

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Fantastic story fantastic narration , cleverly brought to life

Outstanding , fantastic insight to British colonialism, sets the scene superbly. You could almost be there

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Really enjoyed the book but...

I would love it even more if pretty much every book in the saga wasn't voiced by a different person. I get used to and like the style of a particular narrator and changing over takes some time for me!

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By god

BY GOD ! what a great book and narrator. almost as good as shogun . well played Gildart Jackson

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Riveting story with a great narrator

I haven’t ever left a review before but felt compelled to do so since this was so good. Couldn’t put it down. Which is rare. Lol

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Fall in love with Asia all over again

A wonderful companion for a few weeks in Asia. Fantastic narration, masterful storytelling, treat yourself.

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Love, action and intrigue... this is an excellent listen

Clavell is entertaining, varied and complex - and there is action, love and intrigue in this mammoth work. His knowledge of current affairs and culture of the period is extensive and he achieved an outstanding degree of preparation.
As a novel, Taipan isn’t as “tight” as Shogun; there are chapters that lapse and moments that are predictable but it’s imaginative w a great historical canvas upon which the storyline of the China traders, and hero Dirk Struan is laid.
There are so many characters that the narrator wisely chooses fewer (....and that’s still many) to ensure consistency. This is an excellent listen !

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1 person found this helpful