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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
An interesting attempt to re-situate the centre point of world history to central Asia between the Mediterranean and the Himalayas. This is in general fairly successful, although better for some time periods than for others. During the Byzantine empire this focus makes a lot of sense, the Arabic caliphates and the routes across Asia justifying Frankopan's claim that this is the centre of the world.
With the rise of Western Europe from the 16th century onwards this begins to feel a little forced. While Frankopan can still make the case for Asia's place in world history it is clear that there is a lot going on elsewhere.
The thesis starts to make more sense again once the story reaches the twentieth century and the dominance of the pursuit of oil in global politics. Some of the best sections of the book are those covering the imperialism of the both Britain and America and their exploitation of Persia/Iran and the oil producing states.
Frankopan certainly challenges received orthodoxy - for example with the claim that it was late nineteenth century rivalry between Russia and Britain which lay behind the first world war - but also more generally. While I do feel that he sometimes tries a little too hard to relate his story to central Asia, this book is a good corrective for the Euro-centric position of most "world histories" written by European or American historians.
In short, an interesting change of perspective and well written. But dominated by "kings and things" with little thought to economic structure or social change.
With the rise of Western Europe from the 16th century onwards this begins to feel a little forced. While Frankopan can still make the case for Asia's place in world history it is clear that there is a lot going on elsewhere.
The thesis starts to make more sense again once the story reaches the twentieth century and the dominance of the pursuit of oil in global politics. Some of the best sections of the book are those covering the imperialism of the both Britain and America and their exploitation of Persia/Iran and the oil producing states.
Frankopan certainly challenges received orthodoxy - for example with the claim that it was late nineteenth century rivalry between Russia and Britain which lay behind the first world war - but also more generally. While I do feel that he sometimes tries a little too hard to relate his story to central Asia, this book is a good corrective for the Euro-centric position of most "world histories" written by European or American historians.
In short, an interesting change of perspective and well written. But dominated by "kings and things" with little thought to economic structure or social change.
For someone raised on a diet of British and essentially European history, this book was a revelation. There seemed to be an endless succession of "ah ha" moments as things that I had grown up with but never really understood became clear (zB - why are there Christian communities in China?, why did Britain and Russia ally in WW1, why are Iran and Afghanistan so important...)
Reinforces the complexity of our world and makes you worry about how damaging Mr Trump will be before his time in the White House elapses
Hugely recommended, although any English reader may be forced to confront the reality of a totally different viewpoint on the British Empire ;-).
Reinforces the complexity of our world and makes you worry about how damaging Mr Trump will be before his time in the White House elapses
Hugely recommended, although any English reader may be forced to confront the reality of a totally different viewpoint on the British Empire ;-).
Really interesting, although fairly dense I found it wide ranging and perspective shifting
informative
medium-paced
An excellent journey through more than two thousand years of history, all through a fascinating and, to me, novel lens
I unreservedly recommend this if you have an interest in history, social and economic forces. It's a great ride through time from the perspective of how trade, religion and (in many cases) individual leaders shaped the human world.
It is long and there are sections which may seem to drag a little, but it's a fascinating view into the world which you don't get from a western Euro or US centric education.
It is long and there are sections which may seem to drag a little, but it's a fascinating view into the world which you don't get from a western Euro or US centric education.
informative
medium-paced
Mediocre writing, it was very dry and hard to get through. Also extremely Euro-centric and not much detail pertaining to the Silk Road. It’s much more a history of social and economic evolution in light of globalization
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced