Silk, Silver, Spices, Slaves: Lost Tales from the Philippine Colonial Period, 1565-1946 by Lio Mangubat [English, Paperback]

Explore the hidden depths of Filipino history with Silk, Silver, Spices, Slaves: Lost Tales from the Philippine Colonial Period, a remarkable collection of 13 essays by renowned Filipino historian and author Lio Mangubat. Inspired by his acclaimed podcast The Colonial Dept., Mangubat reveals untold stories from the Philippines' colonial era, spanning the Spanish, British, American, and Japanese occupations from 1565 to 1946. With a keen eye for detail, he resurrects forgotten narratives about the galleon trade, Chinese triads, folklore, and the peculiar history of otters in the Philippines. This compelling Filipino history book covers a range of unexpected topics, from the fervor for baseball in early 20th-century Philippines to Mexican fighter pilots defending the islands during World War II. Mangubat’s essays are rich in storytelling and meticulously researched, making Silk, Silver, Spices, Slaves a must-read for anyone interested in Philippine colonial history, Filipino culture, and