Global Superpowers Through the Ages
...surprising shifts in fortunes and influence of dominant nations
Hello, fellow adventurer!
Spring is finally here, so while I’ve been working hard on Georgia Lee’s adventure in India, there’s also been a lot of basking in sunshine, chasing after birds, and frolicking in fields of flowers on my end.
What about you? Send me a picture of what you’ve been up to this month, and your favourite thing to do in Spring/Autumn!
This Month’s Discoveries
I came across this fascinating video during my research which depicts the changing size of world economies from 1AD to 2020AD. See if you can guess when the West came onto the global scene in wealth and influence - it may really surprise you!
Of course, this infographic is only an estimate, but what itshows us is that the largest economies of the world have changed significantly throughout the centuries, and major historical events such as the rise and fall of empires, wars, and the Industrial Revolution have been major factors for the shifts. This revelation not only broadens our understanding of economic history but also challenges our contemporary perspectives on the global economy. It's a reminder that the world has always been in flux, and that the balance of power and prosperity is subject to transformation.
As always, I'm keen to hear your thoughts and insights. Feel free to share your reactions after watching the video, and let's continue exploring the fascinating facets of our world together.
This Month’s Book Recommendation
Many readers often wonder how much of my stories are based on history, and how much is just fiction. If you’ve ever wondered about the portrayal of Genghis Khan (or Chinggis Khan) in my second novel, The Golden Khan, here’s a fantastic book that I would highly recommend: Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World by Jack Weatherford.
Genghis Khan is one of the most famous and influential figures in history, yet his legacy is often misunderstood and misrepresented. In this book, Jack Weatherford, a professor of anthropology and an expert on Mongolian culture, challenges the conventional view of Genghis Khan as a ruthless barbarian who destroyed civilizations and terrorized the world. Instead, Weatherford presents a nuanced and compelling portrait of Genghis Khan as a visionary leader, a brilliant strategist, and a catalyst for global change. He shows how Genghis Khan unified the warring tribes of Mongolia, created a meritocratic and multicultural empire, promoted trade and commerce, and established a lasting legacy that influenced many aspects of the modern world. He also explores the impact of Genghis Khan’s descendants, who continued to expand and rule over the largest contiguous land empire in history.
I’m off to Portugal next week, so I’ll be telling you all about my trip in next month’s newsletter. Let me know if there’s anything you want me to explore/discover in that part of the world 🙂 And follow me on Instagram or Facebook to see what I’m up to over there!
Until next month, wishing you an enlightening and enriching journey,
A. H. Wang
This Month’s Book Promos
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Yes,,, in fact, the author lived in Porto and taught English at one point. from the store's site:
Livraria Lello: The Inspiration for Harry Potter?
The story goes that Livraria Lello is actually the inspiration behind some of the famous Hogwarts scenery in Harry Potter. This story began when JK Rowling used to live in Porto as an English teacher, visiting the bookstore at the weekend. It’s easy to see how this story could be true, with the magical feeling of the bookstore, the bookshelves, and the ‘floating’ staircases and bridges.
Enjoy Portugal! It is a lovely country; Lisbon, a fabulous city, filled with art, music, great food. If you go north, you might enjoy this bookstore: Livraria Lello, Porto
‘The founders, José and Antonio Lello, wanted to create a building that would stand out in the city and the world. So the engineer, Francisco Xavier Esteves, created this neo-Gothic building with its stained-glass skylight, ornate wood carvings, forked spiral staircase, bas-reliefs of Portuguese literary figures carved into the pillars, and allegorical figures of Art and Science on its façade. It’s impossible not to feel a sense of history and grandeur when you come through the door.’—Aurora Pedro Pinto, owner of Livraria Lello in Porto
Happy travels!