Welcome

Welcome to my Substack where I explore with you the big changes in world history and culture today.

I am Jeff Rich, an independent author from Melbourne, Australia. I trained as a historian, finishing a PhD at ANU in 1993. I then worked for three decades as a government official. But all that time I was writing and trying to make sense of the world with history.

Now I share what I learned and perspective I gained on my unique path here on Substack.

What is the Burning Archive

On the Burning Archive I share my knowledge of history and real world affairs to try to make sense of the changing world, and especially how the emergence of a multipolar world is challenging many of the stories we in the West have grown use to telling ourselves.

I write a free weekly essay (1000-2000 words) every Saturday morning (Australian time).

I send a video message or extended essay (2000-4000 words) every Wednesday for supporters who upgrade their subscriptions to paid.

If you want to explore my world more deeply

You may also want to follow my podcast, my YouTube channel or my online courses on writing and history at courses.jeffrichwriter.com.

I hope you join me on my quest to make sense of this perplexing, multipolar world, and its astonishing, diverse histories.