The Silk Roads

A New History of the World

Peter Frankopan

Recommended By

Book Reviews

Book Synopsis

"The Silk Roads" by Peter Frankopan is a comprehensive exploration of the interconnectedness of civilizations throughout history. Spanning from the dawn of civilization to the present day, the book challenges traditional Western-centric narratives by shedding light on the pivotal role played by the East in shaping our world.

Frankopan's meticulous research uncovers how the Silk Roads, ancient trade routes that stretched from China to the Mediterranean, facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures. This transcontinental network served as a conduit for the spread of religions, technologies, and even pandemics.

In addition to examining the economic and cultural aspects, Frankopan delves into the geopolitical implications of the Silk Roads. He highlights how the struggle for dominance along these routes shaped the rise and fall of empires, from the Roman Empire and the Byzantines to the Islamic and Mongol Empires.

Beyond exploring historical events, Frankopan applies this knowledge to understand contemporary challenges. He argues that the Silk Roads remain relevant today, with the resurgence of China as an economic powerhouse and the ongoing shifts in global power dynamics.

Through vivid storytelling and engaging prose, Frankopan unravels the multifaceted legacy of the Silk Roads. With a global perspective that transcends traditional boundaries, "The Silk Roads" invites readers to rethink their understanding of history and consider the world as a complex web of interconnections.

Explore More Books

See All
Deep Simplicity
The Storm of Steel
Fundamentals of Plasma Physics
The Power of Now
Political Tribes
Tools and Weapons
Lean In
Security Analysis
The Creative Society
The Coming Wave
Competing Against Time
Napoleon
Portraits of Interiors
How Buildings Learn
The Rise and Fall of the British Empire
English Culture and the Decline of the Industrial Spirit, 1850-1980
Hiroshima
The Enchiridion
Hagakure
Our Final Invention
Defend The Border and Save Lives
The Letters of William Godwin
Illusions
Where Is My Flying Car?
The Spiritual Brain
Kindly Inquisitors
The Power of Glamour
Between The World And Me
In Patagonia
A Splendid Exchange
Follow The Money
The Fever
The Invention of Air
The Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World
Don't Make Me Think
The Diversity Bonus
The Seventh Sense
Against The Gods
Anthropic Bias
The Soul of the World
Shaping the Future of the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Les Miserables
A History of Western Technology
Saving Capitalism from Short Termism
I Seem To Be A Verb
The Essential Writings
How to Teach Your Baby Math
Technically Food
My Family and Other Animals
Dataclysm
Powers of Two
Empire
The Book of Nothing
Grass Productivity
Out of Mao's Shadow
Amazon Unbound
Democracy In America
Blood and Thunder
Second Foundation
Mandela's Way
Thinking Physics
Take On The Street
Be the Person You Want to Find
Humans Need Not Apply
The Unquiet Grave
The Ride of a Lifetime
When Money Dies
Troubled
Best Evidence
How to Dress an Egg
The Social Photo
The Light Of Other Days
The Jungle
Eisenhower in War and Peace
The Economics of Microfinance
The Road to Character
Founding Brothers
Free The Animal
In FED We Trust
Rise of the Machines
Over the Edge of the World
The City In History
Democracy: The God That Failed
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
Facing Codependence
Stalin's War
We Are The Nerds
Work Rules!
Inside The House of Money
Blitzscaling
The River War
Tuxedo Park
The Silk Roads
A Higher Loyalty
The Advantage
Total Freedom
Hornblower Saga
Code
The Master and Margarita
Survival to Thrival