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"Everybody here is a damn Catholic"
Starts off with a lovely recount of central Eurasian foundation myths and immediately immerses the reader in steppe culture. From there he discusses the structure of political culture and how central Eurasia in general was defined by the twin border powers of Rome/Persia and China.
One of my favorite books on the early colonial United States. Each section is an essay on one of the large colonial cities, their culture/industry/character. Plenty of funny asides.
Immersive, well researched. It's a great dive into life with the Puritans of Plymouth colony. Only gripe is that it takes the Puritan's view of English politics of the time instead of a more objective view.
I love this book. It asks the questions about the underlying causes for major socio-political movements in the ancient roman state. It's also wry and funny. Now I need to go back and read Polybius!
The ending felt abrupt. I felt like Odelle was the most interesting character but we spent the least amount of time on her story. Engaging and I enjoyed the mystery.
Just started it, and I'm really enjoying the book so far. It seems intersectional and academic but also very easy to read. Love the early shade thrown to ECS on how she could have looked to Seneca women for models of a more egalitarian society.