Wonderer's History Podcast

Climate Change, Wars & disasters in 17th Century Europe

In this episode I wanted to reflect a bit on some ideas in the fantastic book Global Crisis, War Climate Change and Catastrophe in 17th century Europe. Thumbnail: vMelchiorre Gherardini, Piazza S. Babila, Milan, during the plague of 1630 (via commons)

The Grand Strategy of Philip II -- An essential Geoffrey Parker history book

In this episode I summarize and recommend one of Prof. Parker's most detailed books about Philip II of Spain.

Fernand Braudel's The Mediterranean & the Mediterranean World in the Age of Philip II -A Masterpiece

In this video I briefly explain why I think Braudel's The Mediterranean & the Mediterranean World in the Age of Philip II (both volumes but more specifically vol.2) is not only one of my favourite books but In my opinion one of the best early modern history books ever written and an invaluable resource for anyone interested in this history of the Mediterranean, be it Spain, Venice, Italy, Ottoman empire or Northern Africa.

Just catching up

Wanted to wish everyone a belated happy new year and let you briefly know what I would like to do with this channel in 2024

History of Patrick Simson, A Scottish Merchant in the 17th century Moldavian Potash trade

In this detail I summarised the story of a very wealthy and influential Scot in 17th Century Eastern Europe (Poland but also Moldavia), based on the account of E. D. Tappe and Paul Ricaut ( available here https://www.jstor.org/stable/4204348?seq=1) Could not find images of Scottish Merchants in any of the Moldavian trading centres such as Iasi during the early modern period so just used a commons painting -- A view of Danzig in 1575, vital to Scottish grain supply and the site of a colony of Scottish merchants (Public Domain) Intro and outro -- excerpts of Yonder Hill and Dale - Aaron Kenny (YouTube Audio Library also Public Domain) Subscribe to the channel if you haven't done so already.