The author traces the fascinating history of this remarkable plant, from its initial uses as an aid to Buddhist meditation in China during the fourth century B.C. through its remarkable explosion of popularity all around the world, becoming a valued commodity that would change world history. 17,500 first printing.
Alan Macfarlane was born in Shillong, Assam, India in December 1941, son of a tea-planter, and educated at the Dragon School, Oxford, Sedbergh School Yorkshire. He became a Senior Research Fellow at King's College, Cambridge in 1971 and a Lecturer, then Reader, then Professor of Anthropology at Cambridge. He became a Fellow of the British Academy in 1986 and is currently Emeritus Professor of Anthropological Science and Life Fellow of King's College.