A Full Cup

Sir Thomas Lipton's Extraordinary Life and His Quest for the America's Cup

De: Michael D'Antonio

Narrado por: David Drummond

Today, Lipton means tea. However, in his time, Sir Thomas Lipton was known for much more. Raised in desperate poverty, he became rich beyond his wildest dreams. he built a global empire of markets, factories, plantations, and stockyards. And his colorful pursuit of the America's Cup trophy made him a beloved figure on both sides of the Atlantic.

In A Full Cup, Michael D'Antonio tells the tale of this larger-than-life figure. Beginning with a journey across the United States just after the Civil War, Thomas J. Lipton developed the ambition and learned the business techniques that helped him create the first chain of grocery stores. Wealthy before age 30, he set his sights on the tea trade, and soon his name became synonymous with the product.

Lipton's great business success makes for a compelling story of innovation and achievement. Moreover, though, Lipton's most intriguing creation was a public persona - one of the first formed with the help of a modern mass media - that appealed to millions of ordinary people, as well as the elites in America and Europe.

Concocting simple stunts like elephant parades, Lipton mastered the new art of obtaining free publicity. With shameless self-promotion, he became one of the world's most eligible bachelors and a patron of the poor, and he ultimately reached legendary heights when he revived the competition for the America's Cup. With one losing attempt after another, the gallant Lipton, who didn't even know how to sail his own yacht, became ever more popular. D'Antonio's biography brings to vivid life this remarkable figure.

©2010 Michael D'Antonio (P)2010 Tantor

Who knew?

Would you listen to A Full Cup again? Why?

Sir Thomas Lipton was a fascinating character! I work in Newport, RI where the Cup races were held for decades, so this may have added to the enjoyment of this book. I had never heard of Sir Lipton's tremendous rise to riches before reading this autobiography. A true Rags to Riches story. I also happen to love tea! Well written, well read.

Great history lesson

More than just a story about the America's Cup race. A rich story about the growth of commerce in the late 19th and early 20th century.

Too bad

Great story. It’s just a shame that the author had to create the idea that Sir Lipton May have been gay with no real evidence to support the notion. Even if he was, why taint his reputation? What difference, other than promoting homosexuality, would it make?
Homosexuality, albeit wrong regardless of era, was a very serious offense during Lipton’s time therefore I feel that the author’s opinion could and should have been omitted.

An excellent account of a life well lived.

An amazing story of an amazing man who rose from rags to riches. A fascinating story of good sportsmanship and morality.