Geography shapes not only our history, but where we're headed...
All leaders are constrained by geography. Their choices are limited by mountains, rivers, seas and concrete. Yes, to follow world events you need to understand people, ideas and movements - but if you don't know geography, you'll never have the full picture.
If you've ever wondered why Putin is so obsessed with Crimea, why the USA was destined to become a global superpower, or why China's power base continues to expand ever outwards, the answers are all here.
In ten chapters and ten maps, Prisoners of Geography looks at the past, present and future to offer an essential insight into one of the major factors that determines world history. It's time to put the 'geo' back into geopolitics.
Ten maps; ten chapters:
Russia * China * United States of America * Latin America * the Middle East * Africa * India and Pakistan * Europe * Japan and Korea * the Arctic
Staff Choice: Jitse
Tim Marshall explains why all global politics are driven by geography. The lay of the land, and its access to oceans and resources, defines the choices policy makers have to make to keep their countries, economies and people secure. He shows, for example, why Russia seeks to keep influence in the former Soviet republics and why it sees Nato's military base building as encirclement.
Staff Choice: Jonna
Although this book focuses really on one thing (geography, as the title suggests), it does give a great view of how the world works. I would recommend this as a base because in reality, there are a lot more factors that make the world spin. A very easy and interesting read, and I learned a lot.
Staff Choice: Marten
Doom and gloom for the future humankind if the author of this book is to be believed... and believe him is what you do after reading this very informative book which reads like a newspaper article. Great book to reread a chapter of when a particular part of the planet is in the news. Especially eye-opening on the parts about China and the Arctic.