I’m looking for books on world history that explain/theorize how the history of politics, war, economics, culture, etc. was shaped by evolution in technology and thought. In particular I’m interested in how changes in one area effected changes in another. For example, how the invention of the castle gave the advantage in warfare to the defender thereby supporting a feudal system over a more centralized system. How stirrups changed the face of warfare thereby causing one group to conquer another. How the planting of leguminous crops shortened the time a field was fallow and required fencing in cattle allowing for more control over breeding, increasing the slaughter weight of cattle, which… etc…
I’ve read “Gun, Germs, and Steel” by Diamond, “Evolution of Civilizations” by Quigley, and I’m currently reading “Ideas: a History of Invention from Fire to Freud.” by Watson.
I’ve watched the entire Connections series and while I loved it, I’m looking for something a bit different. Burke shows how one technological change effected/affected another. I’m not looking for links from one technology to the next so much as I’m looking for how one technology affected aspects of society not directly related to it. I suppose it’s the difference between going deep in the technology tree vs. wide (I’m seeking the latter).
Thanks for your help.