Celebrity, Politics and Francis Drake
Francis Drake’s exploits in the New World made him perfect material for the English gutter press and a figurehead for rising Hispanophobia.
History Matters
Thoughts, opinions and commentary on all things historical.
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‘To Think is to Compare’: Walther Rathenau, Trump and Hitler
No historians are seriously suggesting that the Third Reich and the Trump administration are similar phenomena, but that does not mean comparative study of the two cannot shed light on two contrasting periods.
A Brief History of Facts
The rise of ‘the fact’ during the 17th century came at the expense of the power of authority. Could the digital age reverse how we decide what is true and what is not?
The Selfie, Medieval Style
Rather than being narcissistic, images of the self were used to represent a spiritual community.
Black Money
Attempts to control the spread of bank note forgery in India have proven ineffective and dangerous.
India versus the East India Company
Violence and expansion were integral to the armed bureaucracy at the heart of the East India Company.
A More for All Seasons
Scholar or zealot, every generation gets the Thomas More it needs.
The Soil Depletion Crisis
A tragic episode from the 19th century reveals the danger of an environmental quick fix.
The Phenomenology of Donald Trump
The story of Italian game show host Mike Bongiorno suggests an alternative explanation for Trump's triumph.
Waves of Authoritarianism
The world’s demagogues offer simple solutions and a strong hand. Trump’s victory in 2016 was a reminder of this.