Italy 1636 uses the French and Savoyard invasion of Spanish Lombardy in 1636 to explore the operation of early modern armies through a neo-Darwinian lens, uncovering the universal features of human behaviour and psychology as they relate to violence and war.
The narrative follows a minor Italian state whose ambitious prince mistakenly drags it into a significant conflict with the dominant European power of the era. The story explores themes of ambition, political miscalculation, and the far-reaching consequences of a leader's decisions, showcasing the complexities of power dynamics in a tumultuous historical context.
Sex Ratios at Baptism in Italy, France and England
The book investigates the prevalence of 'routine' infanticide among married parents in early modern Europe, drawing on extensive sources from Italy, France, and England over a span of 300 years. It highlights how this grim reality was overlooked by contemporary legal systems, offering a critical examination of societal norms and judicial responses to such acts. Through a rigorous methodological approach, it reveals the hidden aspects of family dynamics and societal pressures that contributed to this tragic phenomenon.