It was really interesting not dry at all and if you like the book you should check out his other one "Conquistadors" by buddy levy

The Far Land: 200 Years of Murder, Mania, and Mutiny in the South Pacific It about the mutiny of the hms bounty and the story of pitcarin Island

River of Darkness: Francisco Orellana's Legendary Voyage of Death and Discovery Down the Amazon Book by Buddy Levy

An account of orellanas journey down the Amazon the people and cheifdoms they encounter

Imperial twilight: the opium war and the end of china's last golden age by Stephen Platt A book covering the opium wars, the China trade, and political dealings between China the u.k France and the USA. Starting with attempts by the British to establish a consulate in the imperial city in Beijing and ending with the burning and looting of the summer palace

Autumn in the heavenly kingdom by Stephen Platt A book about the taiping heavenly kingdom and its war with the waning qing dynasty. It makes some comparisons with the US Civil War I.e the quest for the taiping and confederate rebel quest for international recognition and diplomatic relations and trade. It covers the start of the rebellion, foreign mercenaries and the massive, multi front campaign to destroy the taiping