He tries to look at history through the eyes of people at that time and not from a distance. E.g. instead of talking about great strategies etc he focuses on what it meant to be raided by Ghengis Khan.
Also, that shop that sells completely random stuff (chandeliers, dolls, weird stautes statues, horrible carpets and so much more junk), never seen it open but have been there for like at least 30 years.
Oh yeah, we also have this in my city, in quite a prime spot of the old town. However since it's such an old shop, I'm not sure if it just belongs to a family that owns (not rents) that space since generations (and isn't really sure what to do with it except for "selling" that stuff).
Should have gone with Social, Political, Economical and (Post-)Apocalyptical.