The Historic Traveler Newsletter!
November 15, 2025

To Our Readers:

I’m thrilled to say that right in time for the holiday gift season, our new Hot 25 Historic Novels list for fall/winter is bringing you a blockbuster selection—for you or for historic novel lovers you know! This season we are awash in new books from our favorites—including Ken Follett, Philippa Gregory, Kate Quinn, Marie Benedict, Dan Brown, Wilbur Smith, Isabel Allende and Madeline Martin. You can read more about their new tomes in the Holiday Gift Buyers Guide in the upcoming winter magazine. But if you want a quick preview, you’ll find it on the Hot 25 list here: https://pages.thehistorictraveler.com/bookshop/hot-25-list-2

And as we approach Thanksgiving, I just want to say how grateful I am to have you along for the journey here at The Historic Traveler!

Happy reading and Happy Thanksgiving!

Researchers have developed new self-supervised deep-learning methods to map low-lying dry-stone walls in dense vegetation by using high-resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEMs). One recent study applied the method “DINO-CV” in the UNESCO World Heritage landscape of Budj Bim in Victoria (Australia) and achieved strong accuracy (mIoU ~ 68.6 %) even with very limited labelled data. This development is significant for historic-landscape preservation, because many heritage features remain “invisible” under canopy or terrain changes, and automating their detection opens a new frontier in large-scale monitoring and protection.

This year, 8 major archaeological discoveries, from sunken ships to sacred sites, are rewriting history as we know it. Check them out HERE

Looking for a new engrossing book for snuggling up over Thanksgiving? Not only did I like it, but the Washington Post chose it as a spotlighted Historic Novel. Take a peek here: www.TheHistoricTraveler.com

The Richest Man Who Ever Lived
by Greg Steinmetz

In The Richest Man Who Ever Lived, financial journalist Greg Steinmetz brings to light the extraordinary—and often overlooked—life of Jacob Fugger, a man whose influence over Renaissance Europe was as immense as his fortune. Operating in the shadows of kings and popes, Fugger was no mere merchant; he was a power broker who transformed finance at a time when lending at interest was still considered sinful by the Catholic Church.

Born in Augsburg in 1459 into a family of textile traders, Fugger had the foresight to pivot into mining and banking just as the old feudal economies were giving way to something radically new: capitalism.

Fugger’s reach extended far beyond ledgers and coin. He financed the rise of the Habsburgs, helping Charles V secure the title of Holy Roman Emperor. In exchange, Fugger received unprecedented privileges—mining monopolies, royal charters, and political access that allowed him to weave his fortune into the very fabric of European governance. Steinmetz vividly illustrates how Fugger played both pope and emperor to his advantage, using his wealth to sway papal conclaves and prop up monarchs—effectively buying influence on a continental scale. His dealings helped solidify a world in which commerce and statecraft would become inseparable.

What sets this biography apart is its accessibility. Steinmetz translates complex economic history into compelling storytelling, giving readers a front-row seat to the dawn of modern finance. Fugger’s business acumen was matched by his ruthlessness. He wasn’t just accumulating wealth—he was shaping the rules of the game. From securing lucrative mining rights in Tyrol and Hungary to redefining how credit and collateral were understood, Fugger laid the foundations for institutions we now take for granted: central banking, international investment, and corporate monopolies. He even established one of the first public housing projects in Europe, the Fuggerei, which still operates in Augsburg today.

And yet, despite his colossal impact, Jacob Fugger remains largely absent from the popular imagination. The Richest Man Who Ever Lived corrects that omission with sharp insight and narrative grace. Whether you’re intrigued by economic history, Renaissance politics, or the quiet forces that shape the world, this book offers a compelling reminder: money has always been power—but it took a man like Fugger to prove just how far that power could reach.

Get the BOOK, AUDIOBOOK and EBOOK

Here are a few articles you don’t want miss…

Sintra’s Palácio da Pena — A Castle Dreamed in Color - High above Sintra’s emerald hills, the Palácio da Pena shimmers in vivid color—an architectural dream where Gothic, Moorish, and Manueline styles entwine. Built by King Ferdinand II atop a ruined monastery, this 19th-century palace became the crown of Romantic Portugal. Wander through frescoed halls, azulejo-lined cloisters, and camellia-filled gardens to discover a masterpiece where art, imagination, and landscape merge in one of Europe’s most enchanting royal retreats.

Sintra, Portugal — Enchanting Conical Chimneys and Royal Palaces - Nestled in Portugal’s misty hills, Sintra enchants with royal palaces, exotic gardens, and centuries of legend. From the twin chimneys of the Palácio Nacional to the mystical wells of Quinta da Regaleira, every path reveals a story steeped in art and history. A UNESCO World Heritage gem, Sintra blends Moorish fortresses, Manueline splendor, and poetic charm—an enduring haven where architecture, nature, and imagination unite in unforgettable harmony.

Genoa's Painted Palazzi: Stories in Fresco on the Ligurian Coast - Along the sunlit streets of Genoa, palaces become canvases for history. From Via Garibaldi’s frescoed façades to the storied Palazzo San Giorgio, these painted palazzi reveal tales of seafaring wealth, family power, and artistic genius. Gods, heroes, and sea deities still adorn the walls, echoing the city’s golden age as a maritime republic. In Genoa, every brushstroke is a window into a world where art, commerce, and civic pride merge in timeless color.

And catch up with these great features…

You can see them all at https://thehistorictraveler.com/blog

Jackie Lapin

Jackie Lapin is the Historic-Traveler-in-Chief at The Historic Traveler, a media outlet and membership community for history lovers offering article features, travel resources, and stunning photo galleries, alongside carefully curated recommendations for historical novels, history books, biographies, films, museums, and more that illuminate some of history’s most treasured stories. An avid historical reader herself, Jackie shares highlights from more than 500 destinations she has visited and photographed, presented through a quarterly e-magazine, website, newsletter, and the Historic Traveler International membership community—a dynamic network of like-minded travelers and readers.

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