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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
This is a book that should be read. I've read some reviews in newspapers that suggested that there are inaccuracies in his telling. Perhaps. But what made this expansive telling from ancient times to the present day is the perspective. Understanding where my northern European country fits, how the actions of my country have been perceived by other regions. Excellent, refreshing and very useful to better understand the state of things today.
informative
slow-paced
Finally done! This book, it started so promisingly, with assurances that this would be a book shedding light on an understudied but essential region of the world. And the early parts, the ones that talked about Rome’s orientation East, about the prophet Muhammad and Islam’s spread across the peninsula, they were fascinating. But then the minute Europe rose with the age of discovery, the book became a standard history of western civilization, with a little more focus on the MENA region. Why, in a book promising the Silk Road, did I read a chapter about Columbus in the Americas? Now, don’t get me wrong, it was well researched, well cited, and well written (if dry and long, but hey it’s a comprehensive history, that goes with the territory), but I couldn’t shake the feeling of being cheated. The last few chapters, detailing America’s blunders in the Middle East and Central Asia, and the conclusion in particular, discussing the rise of China and the booming wealth of the stans, those were interesting. But that was what I should’ve been reading the whole time, not this claptrap that’s been trodden over time and time again.
Anyway.
Anyway.
Truly truly fabulous. Second time around reading, and it certainly will not be my last. I wish more time had been spent covering ancient civilizations, but I suppose that would have to be another book.
informative
slow-paced
Great condensed history
Amazing history of the silk road the start of humanity and the way one path through land has created history.
Amazing history of the silk road the start of humanity and the way one path through land has created history.
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
I interpreted the title and subtitle of this book all wrong. I’m almost embarrassed it took me 1/3 of the way in before I realized it was a history of the world with a bit more focus on the Middle East. Once I realized this I settled into it and there was a lot to learn, but I never really got past the fact I was hoping for an in depth look at the Silk Road…silk road. Not all the other roads… probably why it took me several months to finish.
Prima carte pe care o citesc într-o perioada așa mare de timp!
Am fost curioasă și entuziasmată de această carte și, trebuie să recunosc, nu de puține ori am zis că renunț la ea. Nu a reușit să mă prindă cu poveștile de la începutul Drumurilor mătăsii, mai ales că eu speram ca accentul să cadă mult mai mult pe înșiruirea de fapte istorice, nu pe analiza lor și identificarea mai mult sau mai puțin a factorilor declanșatori ori a acțiunilor ce au urmat, aspect care s-a făcut de multe ori prea filosofic pentru gustul meu. Abia spre final a reușit să revină la așteptările mele, iar capitolele din istoria mai recentă au fost pe gustul meu (precizez că pentru ultimele circa 70 de pagini am mai adaugat o ⭐️ la jurizare
Am fost curioasă și entuziasmată de această carte și, trebuie să recunosc, nu de puține ori am zis că renunț la ea. Nu a reușit să mă prindă cu poveștile de la începutul Drumurilor mătăsii, mai ales că eu speram ca accentul să cadă mult mai mult pe înșiruirea de fapte istorice, nu pe analiza lor și identificarea mai mult sau mai puțin a factorilor declanșatori ori a acțiunilor ce au urmat, aspect care s-a făcut de multe ori prea filosofic pentru gustul meu. Abia spre final a reușit să revină la așteptările mele, iar capitolele din istoria mai recentă au fost pe gustul meu (precizez că pentru ultimele circa 70 de pagini am mai adaugat o ⭐️ la jurizare
YEAH, I might've marked this as read because I scrolled to the bottom of the Kindle ebook and skipped half of it. But ... I only did it because I stopped reading at where I think this book should have ended. I really enjoyed the first half and learned so much. However, once the history reaches the point of European colonialism, I think Frankopan loses it. He himself says that the Silk Roads has fallen to make way for sea routes. I would've preferred a larger expansion of earlier history. I really don't see how he can argue for Persia and the Middle East being the center of the world after Europe invades Asia and the "New" World. It is an overwhelming book to read as it covers SO much. The scope should have been narrowed and the timeline shortened. boo. how does this have 4 stars? I couldn't bring myself to give 3 stars for the first half that I did read.