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Legacy

One Family, a Cup of Tea and the Company That Took on the World

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Legacy

By: Thomas Harding
Narrated by: Mark Meadows
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Summary

A panoramic new history of modern Britain, as told through the story of one extraordinary family and one groundbreaking company. 

In the early 1800s Lehmann Gluckstein and his family escaped the pogroms of Eastern Europe and made their way to Whitechapel in the East End of London. There, starting with nothing, they worked tirelessly to pull themselves out of poverty, creating a small tobacco factory that quickly grew to become the largest catering company in the world: J. Lyons. For over a century, Lyons was everywhere. Its restaurants and corner houses were on every high street, its coffee and tea in every cup, its products in every home. The company transformed the way we eat, drink and are entertained - democratising luxury and globalising our tastes. A story of the virtue of hard work, perseverance and an indomitable spirit in the face of repeated obstacles. 

©2019 Thomas Harding (P)2019 W. F. Howes Ltd Europe Great Britain England Imperialism
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Critic reviews

"Endlessly fascinating and hard to put down. I read it all in one sitting, enjoying the colour and grandeur [...] Full of character and characters, this is a tour de force.” (Julia Neuberger)
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I bought this on a whim. I'd heard of the Lyons tea shops but never seen one as they were all gone by the time I moved to England. I thought this book might be an overview of them but it is so much more.
The writer takes you on a meander through the pertinent history of the day while introducing you to each family member in turn as he covers the rise and demise of the company.
Absolutely fascinating and the epilogue is no dry recap of things, it is essential reading too!

More than a tea shop

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The third family history from Thomas Harding and again a brilliantly detailed history. So well researched and such an engaging read/listen.

Brilliant, again.

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What an unexpected delight. Fascinating history of an immigrant family over a century plus. Very interesting with some important messages for all of us. Pass it on.

Fascinating slice of social history

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A well told social history of the last 250 years through the lives of one family, whose rags to riches story really deserved to be told. I bought it on a whim but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Fascinating history of some fascinating characters

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An elderly family relative remembers his first meal with his girlfriend, later wife at a popular Lyons cafe. He had spoken of Lyons and the Nippy’s with great affection so I thought it would be interesting to know more. I had absolutely no clue that the businesses were so vast.
I have really enjoyed listening to the story of the family members who just had such foresight and made such inspired business decisions. Each generation seemed to bring some new idea that flew.
My memory of a special treat in London from the late 1960’s was a visit to the Wimpy Bar, that came up to as a Lyons business. So that connected me to the Lyons brand.
The whole Legacy story really held my interest. The narration was excellent and easy on the ear.
Thoroughly recommend, well worth a listen.

Fascinating history

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