The Pioneers, 1825-1900 : The Early British Tea and Coffee Planters and Their Way of Life

London: Quiller Press, 1991. Book. Fine. Hardcover. Reprint. 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall. 224 pages including index. One hundred and fifty years ago the British planter arriving in India or Ceylon could hardly expect a bungalow, a deep freeze, a television - let alone an orderly estate of tea bushes. The scene would rather be the dense tropical jungle, disease-carrying insects, and prowling beasts of prey. He would work and live alone, and bivouac for months on end under tropical rains with but the scantiest of provisions. That is why this book is entitled The Pioneers. Author, who was a planter in Ceylon, has done much research covering the pre 1900 period, putting together a description in words and pictures of how these pioneers lived. Amazingly, although a few books of personal reminiscences by planters have been published in the distant past, Weatherstone's achievement has never before been attempted.... To anyone who has lived in India, Ceylon, Imperial China - or indeed any tea producing country - this work will have a strong nostalgic appeal. To those in the tea and coffee trades - even to the keener drinkers - it is an education, an exciting view into a near-forgotten world. But to the thinning ranks of retired planters, it is simply a must." - from dust jacket. Nearly 350 illustrations in colour and black and white. Book clean, bright and unmarked with very light wear and minor lean to spine. Glossy green illustrated dust jacket remains attractive with very light wear and no tears. Excellent copy..