Anton Howes writes the brilliant Age of Invention substack. We were supposed to talk about the history of salt and its powerful impact on people and states. We certainly did talk about that but also a lot more!

• history's efflorescences

• Henry VIII's ruthless tax grabs

• The feebleness of England (until suddenly . . .)

• Rebel space colonies

• The Spanish and English Armadas

• Lot's wicked daughters

• The Roman (non) Industrial Revolution

And amidst all our digressions I mentioned the film with more digressions than even we could manage, The Saragossa Manuscript. Highly recommended. And also the documentary about salt production in My Name is Salt which is just wonderful.

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