I have some great book recommendations regarding the bridge to the Franks (Merovingian and Carolingians) and eventually Charles Martel and Charlamagne if you would like me to find them for you. Most people glaze over these days and would rather watch a moronic SJW idiot pushing movie these days. Hollywood says they have a hard time coming up with new ideas. Morons. They keep recycling and destroying good stories. All they need to do is pick up a history book. I’m one of those that truly finds non-fiction more thrilling than fiction.
My wife and I are bibliophiles with about 2,000 books since we got rid of about 1,500. I always compile copies of books recommended so post when you can.
I read about 20 to 40 at a time while my wife does the exact opposite reading only one at a time until she is done, then she pencils the date on the back fly-leaf.
I had often wondered why the Europe of Charlamagne sank so far after his death. Then I read a book on nutrition and history and found an answer. In the hundred years after Charlamagne’s death there were 33 famines in Europe, some lasting 2 and 3 years. The reason given was the Arab/Moorish introduction of the barberry bush which was the alternate host for wheat rust disease in the southern parts, and in the north, the ergot fungus of rye. I plan to check out the volcanic activities during that 100 years to see if there might have been climate effects which enhanced the harm to wheat and rye crops and the severity of their diseases.