American Historians always emphasize the importance of the USS Monitor and CSS Merrimac in Ironclad naval warfare citing it as the first example of ironclad on ironclad fighting. When did Europeans adopt this style? Are there any notable battles between Ironclad ships in the years before World War I?

So I recently started reading GGS. I'm an anthropology/history noob, but I'm really interested in this kind of stuff. So seeing that GGS is a very accessible book, I decided to buy it. Although now I'm hearing from actual anthropologist/historian types such as yourselves on here that Jared Diamond is apparently a blathering idiot. I was just wondering if I should stop reading GGS and move on to something else? Or is it at least worth finishing.

Also if any of you guys/girls could recommend some other books that are similar to GGS, but are more accurate and more worthwhile to read, that'd be awesome. Thanks so much!

Edit: Thank you all so much! You guys rock and this sub is awesome!

I've been researching slavery and I've become especially interested in slave resistance (particularly the Stono Rebellion). I looked through the book list but I was hoping some of our wonderful flaired users (or others) could suggest more sources. I'm mostly interested in the context of the southern U.S. if that makes a difference in your suggestions. I'm not necessarily interested solely in violent resistance. I'd love to learn more about other methods of resistance too. Thanks a lot!

What foodstuffs did northern European nations, ones frequently experiencing a cold year-round climate, produce? Which crops were able to survive the climate? What sort of commodities did these nations produce (for example, in the game Civilization, Scandinavia, when "true" resources are activated, are rich in truffles; is there any basis to this?).

At what point was England like 'Time put down the rebellion, mates!'? In other words, what was the exact moment that England knew the colonies were breaking off?

I'm from England, but I'm not sure where my ancestors were from as they emigrated from America to England. So I was just wondering, who actually were the first Britons are would there even be any still around or descended from them?

Other than cooking I've heard that they used it to bathe, but what other uses did it have? What was the main use of it back then?

For example in a state where there are two ethnicities (or religions) forming half the population each, or one forming 75% and the other 25% (or any sizeable figure for both parties). Then there was a war and the winning side expelled the losing ethnic or religious group from the state.

This means I'm excluding ethnic/religious wars that resulted in partitions of a country.

Has this ever happened in recent history?

Additional question what were the symbols of Barcid dynasty/family?

I thought that it was Don Quixote, or One Thousand and One Nights. But those are the earliest I can think that were actually printed and sold widely as novels. Was there more?

My knowledge of this period consists of what I learned in junior high. I'd like a good survey of the period that's readable and will provide enough insight that other areas of interest might be sparked. I'm reading Six Frigates now (Ian Toll) and loving it. Would like a broader sweep of history though as an entree. Thanks in advance.