Legacy cover art

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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About this listen

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 really enjoyed this audio book. The story of the rise and rise of this immigrant family who certainly worked hard to win their place in British commerce. They went on to become part of British Culture and the historical background kept me listening. It is also a great, sprawling family saga as well as a historical and social commentary on British life. Definitely recommended.

Fascinating Family History

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Brilliantly researched and chronologically told. Not only the story of a remarkable family but an insight into how they shaped and had effect on almost endless aspects of British Jewish life, British business and politics. A must-read for anyone with such interests.

Fascinating.

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I was born to late to remember anything about Lyons products and services yet I found this story both interesting and universal, when I am thinking about some businesses commenced only a few years ago. Of course, 21st century realities differ from Victorian England however some patterns of family businesses may remain similar ...

The chronicle of successful migrants

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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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