The Power of Persuasion

Lucas Haasis is a postdoctoral researcher and the research coordinator of the UK-German Prize Papers Project (www.prizepapers.de). He is also a lecturer of Early Modern History at the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Germany. His research focusses on 18th-century letter-writing practices, mercantile culture of the 18th century, materiality studies, and praxeological approaches in historiography and global microhistory.

»Eine methodisch höchst reflektierte und sehr gut lesbare, insbesondere aus medienhistorischer Sicht auf das in puncto Kaufmannskorrespondenzen bislang noch kaum beleuchtete 'Jahrhundert des Briefes' (Steinhausen) enorm ertragreiche, weiterführende Untersuchung.« Regina Dauser, Jahrbuch für Kommunikationsgeschichte, 25 (2023) »Overall the book demonstrates what it is possible to learn from an untouched archive by following the logic of contemporary merchants and staying close to sources, not only in their content but also in their materiality. Haasis reached a balance between, on the one hand, respecting the original material and, on the other, convincingly placing this material in the broader context of eighteenth century commercial culture and practices.« Elisabeth Heijmans, H-Soz-u-Kult, 30.03.2023 »A remarkable addition to business, economic and maritime history. Although not everyone will be convinced by its distinctive approach, the archival work provides a unique window into the world of an eighteenth-century wholesale merchant. Rather than relying on theoretical debates, Haasis eloquently shows the dilemmas, failures and successes encountered by a merchant.« Gijs Dreijer, International Journal of Maritime History, 34/4 (2022)