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Legacy
- One Family, a Cup of Tea and the Company That Took on the World
- Narrated by: Mark Meadows
- Length: 14 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: History, Europe
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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.
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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What listeners say about Legacy
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Amazon Customer
- 30-05-22
Fascinating.
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.
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- Waggy From Derby
- 01-05-22
amazing history of a company that made Britain
just an amazing book, a family of British heroes., I knew nothing about, this history deser rs to be shared
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- mcfontaine
- 28-11-20
Brilliant, again.
The third family history from Thomas Harding and again a brilliantly detailed history. So well researched and such an engaging read/listen.
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- Linda
- 22-06-20
Fascinating Family History
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.
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- Anonymous User
- 03-05-20
great read
I remember lyons tea shops but never knew the fascinating story behind the family that started it all. A real rags to riches story. This is a history of England that is told so well. really enjoyed this book.
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- eunice
- 28-03-20
Lyons Corner House
Brilliant! Gripping! So much information of a time gone by.
We owe this family much credit of what they have done and achieved.
"The Legacy" is aptly named.
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- mr philip kelly
- 10-10-19
Fascinating history of a Family.
A fascinating story from start to finish.
beautifully read. The first 40 years of the story read like an habitory, the heart break of children lost and family members. As the story gathers pace for me the 1870-1920's . Amazing , truly amazing what they achieved and where part of so many historical events. I can't recommend this more.
some many characters. Wish I had a fund.....
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- J.Brock
- 03-11-19
So lengthy it's hard to follow
"Legacy" covers quite a family. It stretches over at least 3 generations of a most industrious family of Jewish immigrants to Britain, the Glucksteins, the Salmons by marriage, and J Lyons by partnership. The story covers so many years and generations that it is hard to follow via an audiobook. Reading it might be a lot easier because then you can see the generations laid out via the pages. Randomly, the book mentions Jack the Ripper, no doubt due to the fact the family lived in Whitechapel, and other culturally significant incidents. But it is very hard to keep the families, children, children's children, etc straight when listening. But it's quite a colorful story of a very famous family. Mark Meadows's narration is spot on.