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Silk Silver Opium: The Trade with China that Changed History
Silk Silver Opium not only tells the fascinating stories of silk and tea, porcelain, silver and opium, missionaries, mercenaries and trade, but also what became inevitable – war and humiliation.
Much about China's modern relationship with the West is the product of its past inter-reactions, conflicts, victories and humiliations. The South China Sea was the place from where the ultimately destructive European sailing ships arrived. The Ryukyu Island chain was the place from where marauding Japanese pirates preyed mercilessly on China's east coast ports. Taiwan was where anti-Qing rebels established a stronghold in the seventeenth century. The story of imperial China's trading relationship with the West is a powerful tale, with clear implications for the future.
Much about China's modern relationship with the West is the product of its past inter-reactions, conflicts, victories and humiliations. The South China Sea was the place from where the ultimately destructive European sailing ships arrived. The Ryukyu Island chain was the place from where marauding Japanese pirates preyed mercilessly on China's east coast ports. Taiwan was where anti-Qing rebels established a stronghold in the seventeenth century. The story of imperial China's trading relationship with the West is a powerful tale, with clear implications for the future.
355 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2025
33 people are currently reading
228 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 15, 2025
I never thought I would be so entertained by reading a whole chapter dedicated to the history of Porcelain, but here we are.
February 28, 2026
‘Europe’s trading relationship with imperial China started in wonder and ended in war and bloodshed.’
I have long been fascinated by the history and culture of China. While my reading has touched on trade and China’s relationship with the wider world, much of my focus was on administration and dynastic succession. In this book, Mr Pembroke focusses on the impact of China’s trade in silk, tea, porcelain and silver as well as the impact of opium.
As I read this, reminded of the history of European and American contact with China especially during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, it is easy to see how (and why) so much of China’s relationship with the west is challenging. After all, China is well placed to apply the lessons learned from various iterations of the west’s foreign policy. But I digress.
The focus of this book is on silk and tea, silver and opium, and on the roles of missionaries and mercenaries. European contact with China started during the Roman Empire and, for most of the period until 1912, China was both wealthier and more technologically advanced. This resulted in substantial trade surpluses until the nineteenth century, when a combination of factors led to ‘The Century of Humiliation’ which began with the First Opium War (1839-42).
And for various reasons, the quote below will stay with me:
‘There is no nation, numerically as great as China … To me they are the most remarkable race on earth and I have always thought and still believe them to be the great coming rulers of the world. They only want a Chinese Peter the Great or Napoleon to make them so … and in my idle speculation upon this world’s future, I have long selected them as the combatants on one side at the great battle of Armageddon, the people of the United States of America being their opponents.’ (Garnet Wolseley (1833-1913), quoted in ‘Silk Silver and Opium’)
I would recommend this book as a starting point to anyone looking to learn more about China.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
I have long been fascinated by the history and culture of China. While my reading has touched on trade and China’s relationship with the wider world, much of my focus was on administration and dynastic succession. In this book, Mr Pembroke focusses on the impact of China’s trade in silk, tea, porcelain and silver as well as the impact of opium.
As I read this, reminded of the history of European and American contact with China especially during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, it is easy to see how (and why) so much of China’s relationship with the west is challenging. After all, China is well placed to apply the lessons learned from various iterations of the west’s foreign policy. But I digress.
The focus of this book is on silk and tea, silver and opium, and on the roles of missionaries and mercenaries. European contact with China started during the Roman Empire and, for most of the period until 1912, China was both wealthier and more technologically advanced. This resulted in substantial trade surpluses until the nineteenth century, when a combination of factors led to ‘The Century of Humiliation’ which began with the First Opium War (1839-42).
And for various reasons, the quote below will stay with me:
‘There is no nation, numerically as great as China … To me they are the most remarkable race on earth and I have always thought and still believe them to be the great coming rulers of the world. They only want a Chinese Peter the Great or Napoleon to make them so … and in my idle speculation upon this world’s future, I have long selected them as the combatants on one side at the great battle of Armageddon, the people of the United States of America being their opponents.’ (Garnet Wolseley (1833-1913), quoted in ‘Silk Silver and Opium’)
I would recommend this book as a starting point to anyone looking to learn more about China.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
November 12, 2025
An excellent pencil sketch of Chinese history between 1600 and 1900. As is stated up front, this isn’t a book of in-depth historical analysis, but rather a narrative history for the casual reader. If any critique could be levelled, the occasional reference to contemporary politics is distracting and underdeveloped and there isn’t much use of some contemporary scholarship using more Chinese sources.
August 21, 2025
Enjoyed the pacing of the book and the device of using silk, silver and opium to shape the story.
One other big takeaway - of all the terrible outcomes of British imperialism we really don’t pay enough attention to the mess they made in China. In less than 100 years they managed to destroy the country.
One other big takeaway - of all the terrible outcomes of British imperialism we really don’t pay enough attention to the mess they made in China. In less than 100 years they managed to destroy the country.
February 8, 2026
It is a good book for broad strokes narrative about the historical baggage China has and it helps people understand why It continues to be suspicious about global economy and trade. Interesting read.
February 14, 2026
A little hard to read in some portions (I'm not used to reading non fiction, let alone a history book) but some facts were fascinating and I learned new things about China, not just historically, but about their people and their ways.
October 24, 2025
Great overview of the history of the world's trade with China.
November 8, 2025
Rare perspective on China and surrounding world: India, Arabia, and well written. Thoroughly enjoyed, thank you, Michael, for writing!
November 14, 2025
If you have read Tai Pan and wondered, how much truth is in this? Then this book is for you.
It covers a lot in circa 300 pages including some of the history of Jardine.
Kept me turn the page.
It covers a lot in circa 300 pages including some of the history of Jardine.
Kept me turn the page.
December 26, 2025
It was the last book l finished in 2025 and it was a good read!
Read
January 15, 2026Intriguing and enlightening history of China
January 22, 2026
A riveting read, highly recommended if you enjoy history. A lot of parallels to today’s events.
February 28, 2026
Fantastic overview of Chinese history. Extremely illuminating.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews