Past Imperfect, by economic historian Ian Morris-style author promoting his book The Grim Old Days, argues that preindustrial life was harsh and that modern economic growth deserves credit for human progress. Issues pair pointed rebuttals of anti-growth rhetoric with upbeat takes on modern transportation and book event announcements.
Website: https://pastimperfect.humanprogress.org
Long-form essays on the history of innovation and the causes of the British Industrial Revolution, drawing on archival research. Recent issues cover the salt trade, Scotland's outsized role in invention, and Tudor labour laws and trade.
An economic historian writes essays on South Africa's economic past, present and future, drawing on his own archival research on the Cape Colony. Recent issues examine the role of academic conferences, AI in research and universities, and a language model's critique of one of his own published tables.
Long-form essays on pre-colonial African history, drawing on primary sources such as scribal colophons and explorers' accounts. Readers get evidence-based arguments that challenge common assumptions about African economies, religion and global connections, with deeper parts behind a Patreon paywall.
Long Arc News is a reader-supported geopolitical newsletter that uses historical episodes, such as Iraqi oil pipeline disputes between Turkey, Syria and Iraq, to examine how physical energy constraints translate into political bargains and financial consequences. Readers get long, footnoted narrative analysis built on archival documents and primary sources.
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