Peter Frankopan’s “The Silk Roads A New History of the World” was one of my favourite books of 2016A hugely ambitious history of the world told very deliberately from a viewpoint centred on the areas of Central Asia the Middle East and Southern Russia and the trade routes that linked them rather than the usual Eurocentric view and also written very much from a top down politicalmilitaryeconomic viewpoint of great people and events rather than as a social history the book proceeded chronologically but with each chapter Road themed the road to Furs Revolution Gold Empire etc I found it an excellent book – albeit I thought the final chapter which tried to look at this region – particularly the Central Asian “stans” was by far the weakest – perhaps something that should have served as a warning to meThis book started out as an additional chapter to a new edition of the earlier book but turned into a book in its own right Its key aim is to examine contemporary developments in the region of the earlier book – with a particular but not exclusive focus on China and Russia and how their developments are in turn playing out in countries like Pakistan Iran and the Central Asian ex Soviet republics A key area which both binds the region together and the book – is China’s “One Belt and Road” initiative which very consciously seeks to re instigate a modern day Silk Road on both land the Belt and sea the Road – and to extend that Road much further afield including even Africa South and Central America and the CaribbeanThe author repeatedly contrasts the ambitious and focused foreign policy of China and Russia – with their global ambitions to build infrastructure alongside alliances – with what he sees as the introspective and aimless drifting of Western and Central Europe with the drift into nationalism and away from Union and the unpredictability and contradictory foreign policy of Trump era US with its repudiation of alliances The concept of the book is an excellent one – the execution a different matter The book starts reasonably strongly with a chapter like the previous book all chapter titles are Road themed showing how much of European and American business and culture from trophy buildings to luxury brands to sports teams is now owned by Silk Road countries but then loses its way in a second chapter with rather unconvincing claims for the string of alliances being built among Central Asian companies much of which seems taken from press releases of rather meaningless proclamations of intent on cross country visits A third chapter concentrates on the Belt and Road before the last two chapters look at the rivalry between the US and the region and how this may play out in futureToo much of the book in fact to be honest pretty well all of it consists of page after page of summarised newspaper and internet articles Almost 50 pages of closely typed references speak to the assiduous research that has taken place but in too many cases there is a lack of really clear synthesis or critical analysis of the articlesFurther I felt the book lacked any real colour or anecdote to bring it alive It was even unclear to me at least from the text that the the author had even regularly visited the region while researching the book – he seems to have been of an Internet Explorer and spent time on Twitter than in TurkmenistanOverall I have to unfortunately conclude that the author is a brilliant writer as an historian his Byzantine centric view of the Crusades was my first book of this year but of middling ability as a current affairs commentator Although the theme and premise of the book is valid and critically important – it would I think have been much better covered in a combination of an Economist Special Report which would have bought rigour and structure to the factual analysis and some Sunday glossy style articles to provide some real colour Hardcover 35 informative yet underwhelming starred read Hardcover A caleidoscope of sources but light on personal touches and overall analysis 25 stars rounded downThe Silkroads from Peter Frankopan is one of my favourite non fiction read big history done well and in a surprising manner This follow up on the modern world in comparison dissapointsThe sources and facts are plentiful but a synthesis and some kind of meaningful extrapolation to the near future lacks We have open door conclusions like “America first is not as easy as it seems” and “no one knows if the promised amounts for the belt and road initiative will be fully matched by real investments” While reading the book I also lacked some kind of on the ground perspective from Frankopan I think this book would have gained in strength if you’d get some kind of feel of what normal people going through these major economic changes experience and feel Now it is not even that evident that the author has visited the countries the book revolves around oftenThe road and belt initiative and the general economic shift to the East and particularly China is a fascinating development Besides a sobering recap of the shopping spree through the West there are some whopping infrastructure investments summed up Some of these projects seem very sensible and build energy security and better ways of reaching end customers while others feel graft and prestige oriented For instance a 23 billion airport in Asjchabad Turkmenistan able to process 17 million passengers a year was realised while in 2015 there were only 105000 travellers Or what to think of a railroad in Laos which would add 60% of GDP to the national debt In some restructuring of debt China has either taken over control of the facilities or has agreed to a landswap to settle the outstanding amount which makes you wonder how long the win win mantra will be upheld in tougher circumstances Finally some perspective on the rise of the silk road countries is welcome the income in Kyrgyzstan per person is only slightly above 1000 per person and 14 of that of Angola for instanceCounter to this is an introspective EU focussed on Brexit and president Trump America losing 70% of it’s career diplomats in 2017 and 40% of key roles in the executive branch of government being unfulfilled after a year of Trump’s election doesn’t spell out much good for the soft power of America that has for so long dominated the international order Albeit the military power of the US is enormous China is making clear forays into controlling the South Chinese sea and is building up capabilities in fields like cyber and AI at a breakneck paceThe translation of this book to Dutch seems very literal broken promises sharply aware or a ship that has set sail are not things you can just say one on one in Dutch in a natural mannerAlso somewhere Magube as president of Zimbabwe popped up All in all a sloppy finishing touch to a work that lacked depth and a personal touch Often I had the feeling I was reading an Economist report instead of a personal reflection from the author Hardcover 55th book for 2019Too many facts; not enough analysis2 stars Hardcover Peter Frankopan has amazed us with another masterpiece book with a wide review of the important events happening in Asia and how they will affect the future This book is like an epilogue of his previous extremely interesting book but it has many details that are uite mind blowing to readFrankopan seeks to consider what the present and the future have in store for the Silk road countries and it really is enjoyable in his analysis of this expanding economic development the Author has followed Chinese investment into Southern Asia and it really is so interesting and intriguing to readThe book has also a uniue and beautiful design that will glad your eyes only to see it but the writings within the book are even astounding It really has valuable informations about the current state of the world politically and geographicallyThe most important part I enjoyed was the Author emphasising the importance of countries in Central Asia or places like Pakistan in the global power playIt really is worth reading this compelling book because it has full Frankopan stylr of writings and his analysis are so intriguing and compulsive which makes it hard to believe but very true in future Hardcover
I am under whelmed and disappointed with The New Silk Roads For one I was expecting something profound Rather the author just gives us a list of news stories from the last 3 4 years and expects this to carry the book Where is the analysis? Where are the opinions? The book basically regurgitates multiple points of view without actually adding anything new I am sorely disappointed Avoid this book Hardcover Conceived originally as a kind of postscript or epilogue to The Silk Roads that Frankopan released to much acclaim in 2015 this is extended essay than full book Covering the period from 2015 to 2018 as well as theorising about what may happen in the future this is an intelligent well argued evenhanded piece on the global financial political and cultural world of today He's one of those writers who make you think oh I get it now He does this not by simplifying ideas but by writing in a clear well organised style each argument backed with pertinent evidence The construction of history and contemporary journalism somewhat necessitates the framing of issues within specific boxes time periods countries genres etc But what Frankopan effectively attempted in his first book is continued in this volume highlighting the interconnectedness of the world the way one change here can influence something there that might initially seem entirely unrelated or too distanced by geography or time It's a pertinent reminder that not only is change normal but that it is essential to look globally as well as locally when thinking about how humanity is going to develop in the coming decades Regardless of whether you take his conclusions on board this is a fascinating and important evaluation of the status uo and one which offers valuable warnings or perhaps encouragement for the future depending on the way you choose to see itA must read for understanding the world as it is and as it will be ARC via Netgalley Hardcover This is the modern version of Peter's wonderful history of Silk roads so really should be read after reading the first one Peter reckons that Russia China and Iran are forming the new challenge to the American top slot of the lone superpower in the world with Turkey and Pakistan forming their scouts who will engage with the Americans to test its patience China is effectively gearing up for a fight for the top spot after spending billions in many poor countries selling their alternate ideology of helping them with real money and asking for nothing back well I guess once the fight is on they will ask these countries to support them It also seems to be that the new Nexus is a lot united together as opposed to the Western opponents with their very toxic democracies If I had read his book a few months ago I would have uestioned some of his assertions but in the light of the current Iranian embargo by the Americans I am inclined to accept his narrative Hardcover This isn't so much a book in its own right as an updated addendum to Frankopan's The Silk Roads Essentially a long essay or thought piece it reviews recent developments to 2018 in the sphere of global politics and broadly argues that whereas the old Silk Road nations are moving towards collaboration and constructive partnerships the west is fragmenting and isolating think Brexit or Trump's America First war cries Of course Frankopan is nuanced than that Worth a read for a top level view of what's driving the world today Hardcover Peter Frankopan is so on top of his subject that what he wrote in this book published in 2018 is acutely relevant than it was at the time he wrote it So often books on contemporary politics fall rapidly out of date but not this one Frankopan’s essential thesis is that China is actively stimulating development of new wealth for itself and others through massive investment projects across much of the world not just central Asia The rising wealth of China is affecting the whole world China is reaching across Asia into Africa the Americas Europe and the Caribbean to build Silk Roads of the future investing in transport and other infrastructure that will give China access to the resources it needs for economic growth and open new markets in which to sell goods As its wealth grows so does its assertion of political powerThe obsessive focus on the White House and Brexit has meant other parts of the world have been ignored and the big picture lost from view Frankopan conveys an acute awareness that a new world is rapidly taking shape as Chinese power and influence grows mostly according to plan; the US lurches unpredictably from error to error and Europe is struggling to retain coherenceAs I write China has just acted to suppress dissent in Hong Kong; continues to build defence capacity in disputed seas on the Pacific and along the Indian border in the Himalayas; and is cranking up a mighty stoush with the Australian government attempting to control Australian decision making From where we sit its growing threat to our economy and water resources become alarming by the week yes Chinese State owned companies have been allowed to buy water resources in parts of Australia where water is a scarce and increasingly precious commodityHe remarks ‘the fact is that across many parts of the developed world in the west politicians voters and governments are taking steps to diminish cooperation with each other to disengage from agreements that were made in the past and which now appear unwanted imperfect and indeed counterproductive The hopeful optimism of working towards common interests and mutual benefits has given way to suspicion and distrust and importantly toward action designed to allow each other to go their own way’ The west is in danger of becoming less and less relevantThis should be essential reading for anyone aiming to understand the contemporary world The author hopes that improved understanding of geopolitics can help to see opportunities for collaboration and cooperation and help frame better decision making I would love to agree with him but I don't see many signs for optimism Hardcover
'All roads used to lead to Rome Today they lead to Beijing'When The Silk Roads was published in 2015 it became an instant classic A major reassessment of world history it compelled us to look at the past from a different perspective The New Silk Roads brings this story up to date addressing the present and future of a world that is changing dramaticallyFollowing the Silk Roads eastwards from Europe through to China by way of Russia and the Middle East The New Silk Roads provides a timely reminder that we live in a world that is profoundly interconnected In an age of Brexit and Trump the themes of isolation and fragmentation permeating the Western world stand in sharp contrast to events along the Silk Roads since 2015 where ties have been strengthened and mutual cooperation establishedWith brilliant insight Peter Frankopan takes a fresh look at the network of relationships being formed along the length and breadth of the Silk Roads today assessing the global reverberations of these continual shifts in the centre of power all too often absent from headlines in the West This important and ultimately hopeful book asks us to reassess who we are and where we are in the world illuminating the themes on which all our lives and livelihood depend The New Silk Roads The Present and Future of the World
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