My mentor in medieval history described how he was once traveling in Europe when he ran into an American who asked him what he did. He explained that he was a professor and told him the subject. This fellow said, "Ah yes. Kings and Queens and shit like that." I was always interested in anything but the kings and queens, so I figured I studied "the shit like that." I imagine your weekly theme will do very well, but I will only watch from afar, waiting for that moment when someone asks about shit.

Edit: ask and ye shall receive; a question about shit duly answered.

Really looking forward to the "Eastern Europe" next week. Most people don't find minority politics in 17th century Eastern Europe nearly as interesting as I do.

Next Week: Eastern Europe

and then: Great Migrations