"It 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 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!"--P. [4] of cover.
Book Details
Format
Mass Market Paperback
ISBN-10
0440184622
ISBN-13
9780440184621
Publication Date
Sep 1986
Item Weight
0.75 pounds
Length
6.85 inch
Width
4.17 inch
Height
1.18 inch
First Sentence
Dirk Struan came up onto the quarterdeck of the flagship H.M.S. Vengeance, and strode for the gangway.
James Clavell (born Charles Edmund Dumaresq Clavell; October 10, 1924 – September 6, 1994) was an Australian-born British author, screenwriter, and director, best known for his *Asian Saga* consisting of 6 novels, including the critically acclaimed [*Shōgun*][2] (1975). This epic historical novel, inspired by the story of English navigator William Adams, explores cultural clashes and survival in feudal Japan. It became an international bestseller and has been adapted twice for television: first as a groundbreaking NBC miniseries in 1980 and more recently in 2024 as a critically praised FX/Hulu series.
Clavell’s experiences as a World War II prisoner of war in a Japanese camp deeply influenced his works, which are celebrated for their rich cultural detail and historical depth. In addition to his novels, he wrote screenplays for films such as *The Great Escape* (1963) and directed *To Sir, with Love* (1967). Naturalized as an American citizen later in life, Clavell left a legacy of storytelling that continues to captivate audiences worldwide. He passed away in Vevey, Switzerland, at the age of 69.
([Source][1])
[1]: https://www.britannica.com/biography/James-Clavell
[2]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL2918756W
