Q & A with Angela McCarthy and Sir Tom Devine – Tea and empire

Posted by Rebecca Mortimer - Thursday, 27 Jul 2017

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What book in this field has inspired you the most?

If we are thinking about the history of planters in Ceylon, then we learned much from James Webb’s Tropical Pioneers.

Did your research take you to any unexpected places?

Yes, to the magnificent Loolecondera tea estate in Sri Lanka where James Taylor lived and worked for 40 years. We were also able to visit his grave just outside Kandy and view a magnificent Scottish baronial inspired tea castle and 13-foot bust of Taylor at Talawakelle.

What did you enjoy the most about writing your book?

In terms of research, it has to be meeting so many wonderful people along the way, both in Sri Lanka and Scotland, and receiving their interest and support in the project and in many cases, wonderful hospitality. As for the writing up, we relished the brainstorming and swapping of ideas, but this was also the most difficult part of the project in arguing what should be left in and out!

Why did you choose to publish with MUP?

We have published previously with MUP and find the entire publishing process immensely supportive, from submitting the proposal through to the copyediting and on to production and marketing. The entire MUP team are professional and polite, imaginative and committed, and swift in their communications.

Did you approach writing this book differently to any of your previous work?

It was different in being the first jointly authored book, rather than jointly edited volume, for both of us. This meant robust bouncing back and forward of draft chapters, exchanging ideas, and being open to critique.

Have you had time to think about your next research project yet? What are you working on now?

Sir Tom is working on a major study of the Scottish clearances (under contract to Penguin) and an edited collection with Angela on immigration to Scotland since 1945.

 

 

 

Tea and empire is available now!

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