“A fabulous epic of the Far East that will disturb and excite you . . . a thrilling and enticing tale of adventure and human relationships . . . dramatic episodes, exotic vignettes and heady descriptive passages.”—Baltimore SunIt is the early 19th century, when European traders and adventurers first began to penetrate the forbidding Chinese mainland. And it is in this exciting time and exotic … this exciting time and exotic place that a giant of an Englishman, Dirk Straun, sets out to turn the desolate island of Hong Kong into an impregnable fortress of British power, and to make himself supreme ruler…Tai-Pan!
Praise for Tai-Pan
“Unforgettable.”—Chicago Tribune
“[James] Clavell is, as always, a matchless tale-spinner.”—Cosmopolitan
“Every five or six years there appears on the horizon a book so vast in scope, so peopled with bold, colorful characters, it eclipses other efforts. . . . Such a book is Tai-Pan.”—Pittsburgh Press
“Grand entertainment…packed with action…gaudy and flanboyant with blood and sin, treachery and conspiracy, sex and murder…fresh and vigorous.” —The New York Times
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It’s been a long while since I read this, but I remember it (most books, not so much). I remember it as one whale of a good story that you wished never ended (it’s a good thing it’s nice and long). I remember it as very well-written. I remember it as satisfying. I highly recommend,
Shogun is Clavell’s most famous novel, but if you enjoy good historical fiction, I’d also recommend Tai-Pan. It’s set in Hong Kong and is a really compelling story.
Clavell is a top five author of mine. Dirk Struan and his family will take the reader on many an adventure!
I never cease to marvel at Clavell’s ability to weave a plot AND to make an alien culture and time period come alive. Read the whole set.
Really great plot and characters. Very exciting, often read far longer than I planned. Felt a bit sad when I finished, akin to leaving an old friend.
If you liked “Shogun” by Clavell, you will enjoy this book. Many characters with intertwining storylines and lives. Set in the early 1800’s, a story of Europeans first occupying Hong Kong and the turmoil between Europe, China and Hong Kong. Hong Kong was the harbor used for the European-China-India trade of gold, tea and opium. This books …
Slow start – almost gave it up but waded thru 1st long chapter and it picked up the pace later. Tho still a few dry areas, mostly entertaining and interesting and I suspect realistic about practices and attitudes at that time…
Tai Pan is fascinating book of the beginning of Hong Kong as a British Colony. It illustrates the Chinese culture and early British settlers in a realistic narrative that is so compelling, it is hard to put the book down.
One of my favorite books ever. I highly recommend this book. Exotic Hong Kong is the colorful background.
Very well written. Great historical fiction. The characters are very well developed. Clavell is one of my favorite authors. Clavell’s books stand alone but are actually an inter-related series. If you’re going to read the series, start with Shogun, and read Clavell’s edition of The Art of War early on. I highly this book (and the series) to anyone …
Fabulous view of the history at that time!
Great writng
This is James Clavell’s 2nd book in his Asian Saga (6 books), starting with his well known book Shogun. His books are full of intrigue, strong characters, and are worth reading for his well written epic stories!
Good story, full of suspense and action.
Clavell started out writing from his own personal experiences in King Rat. He knows The East, and it shows. A great novel that’s about more than you think. It’s about the clash and melding of two cultures. And we continue to see it happening today. In a hundred years this will still be a timely novel.
I liked it.
Clavell is the MASTER at writing novels that grip the reader from the very first sentence in the book. You’re hooked. This book has withstood the test of time and remains an excellent read. Superb plot lines, storylines, characters, sub-plots, secondary characters, locations….there’s no boring drivel in this book. It’s not over-written and …
Not as engrossing as Shogun, but the characterizations are solid and the historical background as convincing.
This is the first of three books in James Clavell’s series of books about a family founded by an Englishman and trader, owner of a fleet of ships. He became known as the Tai Pan. This series also includes another masterpiece, even better than this one, Noble House. I will warn you, if you try using this book as before bed reading, you may find …
Easily one of the best books I have ever read. Would give it ten stars if I could.
Greetings, adventure seekers, from the treacherous, frozen north.
Do you want a book about swashbuckling, drug smuggling and international intrigue? Then I recommend to you James Clavell’s Tai-Pan.
Dirk Struan is a giant English merchant smuggler bent on destroying his business rival, Tyler Brock, and dominating European trade in South East …