Alexander at the End of the World

Alexander at the End of the World: The Forgotten Final Years of Alexander the Great by Rachel Kousser

The last years of Alexander the Great, when he was trying to integrate his many conquests from Macedonia to India into an integrated society. Interesting theories by the author of a subject that has been convered for millenia. Someplaces academic in nature, not surprising, but I am always surprised how much material is available to research aspects that are of really ancient nature.

Fur, Fortune, and Empire

Fur, Fortune, and Empire: The Epic History of the Fur Trade in America by Eric Jay Dolin

The history of the fur trade in the Americas, from pre-colonial times to the present. Very thoroughly researched and detailed story of the fur trade, which was a huge economic engine for a couple hundred years. The book focuses on the beaver trade in the 1700s and early 1800s. This is a good compliment, and more detailed acccount of the industry as described in the book Astor.

After the beaver trade faded for a time it was the American Buffalo that was hunted, almost to extinction. Also included here is not just the detail of the fur trade but the political implications and impact that the fur trade had.