Status Updates From The Pursuit of Glory: The F...

Great so far. Full of fascinating anecdotes and insights , with the real strength seeming to lay in comparison between different nations on matters from transport infrastructure to political culture. Less good on the narrative of events by country which can get a bit confusing (especially as it is thematically rather than narratively organised).

Already a 5-star read for me. An exceptional history book that reconstructs the period through ascending strata, beginning for example with ‘communications’ which details European road conditions before moving on to more obviously dramatic topics like the monarchies and their fates. Quite amazed by how it could get me excited about the introduction of potatoes to Europe in 1565 (please ask me about potatoes).