About the book
Oil palms are ubiquitous—grown in nearly every tropical country, they supply the world with more edible fat than any other plant and play a role in scores of packaged products, from lipstick and soap to margarine and cookies. And as Jonathan E. Robins shows, sweeping social transformations carried the plant around the planet. First brought to the global stage in the holds of slave ships, palm oil became a quintessential commodity in the Industrial Revolution. Imperialists hungry for cheap fat subjugated Africa’s oil palm landscapes and the people who worked them. In the twentieth century, the World Bank promulgated oil palm agriculture as a panacea to rural development in Southeast Asia and across the tropics. As plantation companies tore into rainforests, evicting farmers in the name of progress, the oil palm continued its rise to dominance, sparking new controversies over trade, land and labor rights, human health, and the environment.
By telling the story of the oil palm across multiple centuries and continents, Robins demonstrates how the fruits of an African palm tree became a key commodity in the story of global capitalism, beginning in the eras of slavery and imperialism, persisting through decolonization, and stretching to the present day.
Editions of Oil Palm
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781469662886
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469662893
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469662916
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890860200
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469662909
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890860194
Read an Excerpt
Oil palms are ubiquitous—grown in nearly every tropical country, they supply the world with more edible fat than any other plant and play a role in scores of packaged products, from lipstick and soap to margarine and cookies. And as Jonathan E. Robins shows, sweeping social transformations carried the plant around the planet. First brought to the global stage in the holds of slave ships, palm oil became a quintessential commodity in the Industrial Revolution. Imperialists hungry for cheap fat subjugated Africa’s oil palm landscapes and the people who worked them. In the twentieth century, the World Bank promulgated oil palm agriculture as a panacea to rural development in Southeast Asia and across the tropics. As plantation companies tore into rainforests, evicting farmers in the name of progress, the oil palm continued its rise to dominance, sparking new controversies over trade, land and labor rights, human health, and the environment.
By telling the story of the oil palm across multiple centuries and continents, Robins demonstrates how the fruits of an African palm tree became a key commodity in the story of global capitalism, beginning in the eras of slavery and imperialism, persisting through decolonization, and stretching to the present day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Oil Palm about?
Oil palms are ubiquitous—grown in nearly every tropical country, they supply the world with more edible fat than any other plant and play a role in scores of packaged products, from lipstick and soap to margarine and cookies. And as Jonathan E. Robins shows, sweeping social transformations carried the plant around the planet. First brought to the global stage in the holds of slave ships, palm oil became a quintessential commodity in the Industrial Revolution. Imperialists hungry for cheap fat subjugated Africa’s oil palm landscapes and the people who worked them. In the twentieth century, the World Bank promulgated oil palm agriculture as a panacea to rural development in Southeast Asia and across the tropics. As plantation companies tore into rainforests, evicting farmers in the name of progress, the oil palm continued its rise to dominance, sparking new controversies over trade, land and labor rights, human health, and the environment.
By telling the story of the oil palm across multiple centuries and continents, Robins demonstrates how the fruits of an African palm tree became a key commodity in the story of global capitalism, beginning in the eras of slavery and imperialism, persisting through decolonization, and stretching to the present day.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Oil Palm?
Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, Industrial processes > Environmental science, engineering and technology
Where can I read a sample of Oil Palm?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469662886
How long is Oil Palm and how many pages does it have?
Oil Palm has 432 page(s)
Is Oil Palm part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Flows, Migrations, and Exchanges
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Oil Palm?
Jonathan E. Robins
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Oil Palm is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469662886) and paperback(ISBN 9781469662893) and ebook(ISBN 9781469662916) and ebook(ISBN 9798890860200) and ebook(ISBN 9781469662909) and pdf(ISBN 9798890860194)
Where can I buy Oil Palm online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Oil Palm from below
Where can I buy Oil Palm?