s07e84 | Exploring Boardgames, with John LaRuffa

The 'Agricola' is a biographical work written by Tacitus around 98 AD, honoring his father-in-law Gnaeus Julius Agricola. The book details Agricola's life, his military campaigns in Britain, and his governance of the province. It also serves as a critique of Roman imperial policies and a manual on good leadership and counterinsurgency strategies. Tacitus describes Agricola's military successes, his approach to governance, and the cultural and political context of Roman Britain. The work includes notable speeches, such as that of the Scottish rebel Calgacus, and reflects on the themes of power, governance, and morality within the Roman Empire.

In this book, Niall Ferguson argues that Western civilization's rise to global dominance was driven by six powerful new concepts, or 'killer applications,' that emerged in the fifteenth century. These include competition, science, the rule of law, modern medicine, consumerism, and the work ethic. Ferguson explains how these factors allowed the West to surge past its Eastern rivals and dominate the world for the past five centuries. However, he also discusses how the Rest have now adopted these 'killer apps,' while the West has lost faith in itself. The book chronicles the rise and fall of empires and the clashes and fusions of civilizations, offering a bold and insightful recasting of world history.

Puerto Rico is a board game. Players take on the roles of governors, developing their islands by building settlements and producing goods. The game features a blend of strategy and economic management, with players competing for resources and influence. Puerto Rico's unique worker placement mechanic and its blend of strategy and economic management have made it a popular choice among board game enthusiasts. The game's replayability is high, with different strategic options and combinations.

La Caverna es una novela que explora la vida de Cipriano Algor, un alfarero anciano, su hija Marta, y su yerno Marçal. La historia se desarrolla alrededor del impacto del Centro, un gigantesco complejo comercial, en sus vidas. Después de que el Centro cancela su pedido de cerámica, la familia se ve obligada a mudarse allí, donde Marçal trabaja como guardia de seguridad. Pronto descubren un misterioso sonido de excavación bajo el Centro, lo que cambia sus vidas para siempre.