A monumental work based on an enormous amount of scholarship that details the effect of the General Crisis of the 17th century on almost every part of the world. A great deal on the human effects of that crisis, and the way the climatic changes interact with social forces. But one that fails to get to the heart of why the 17th century was particularly prone to war, revolution and crisis because it neglects the wider changes in society, particular the social forces as the old feudal order is challenged by an emerging capitalism in Europe and elsewhere.
Full review: http://resolutereader.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/geoffrey-parker-global-crisis-war.html