This is part two of my conversation with Walter. This time we talk about his book 'When Latins's Fight - Why There is No United Stated of South America'. The book provides an account of all the major wars that took place between states in post-independence South America. Doing this allows Walter to not just cover the stories of each conflict, but to pull out some of the common themes that run through them. In this episode he explains how some of these wars came about, what their legacies are and how these rivalries affect the future prospects of the region. ...
After years of trying, Columbus had finally secured funding to set off across the Atlantic. What happened next is known to almost everyone in Western world. Columbus reached the Americas and began the process of European colonisation. The details of his journey however, are rather less known and this episode tells its story. Along the way he will face storms, hostile foreign governments, natives and insubordination from his crew. ...
The Amazon basin is one of the world's last great wildernesses. It is a vast expanse of thick jungle inhabited by small tribes who live the same way that they have done for millennia. Well actually, probably not. More and more evidence is coming to light which suggests that the region was actually home to large populations, organised states and even cities. This episode looks at these discoveries and what they mean for our understanding of the Amazon. ...
