The Revenge of Geography

What the Map Tells Us About Coming Conflicts and the Battle Against Fate

By: Robert D. Kaplan

Narrated by: Michael Prichard

Length: 13 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

In The Revenge of Geography, Robert D. Kaplan builds on the insights, discoveries, and theories of great geographers and geopolitical thinkers of the near and distant past to look back at critical pivots in history and then to look forward at the evolving global scene. Kaplan traces the history of the world's hot spots by examining their climates, topographies, and proximities to other embattled lands. The Russian steppe's pitiless climate and limited vegetation bred hard and cruel men bent on destruction, for example, while Nazi geopoliticians distorted geopolitics entirely, calculating that space on the globe used by the British Empire and the Soviet Union could be swallowed by a greater German homeland.

Kaplan then applies the lessons learned to the present crises in Europe, Russia, China, the Indian subcontinent, Turkey, Iran, and the Arab Middle East. The result is a holistic interpretation of the next cycle of conflict throughout Eurasia. Remarkably, the future can be understood in the context of temperature, land allotment, and other physical certainties: China, able to feed only twenty-three percent of its people from land that is only seven percent arable, has sought energy, minerals, and metals from such brutal regimes as Burma, Iran, and Zimbabwe, putting it in moral conflict with the United States. Afghanistan's porous borders will keep it the principal invasion route into India, and a vital rear base for Pakistan, India's main enemy. Iran will exploit the advantage of being the only country that straddles both energy-producing areas of the Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea. Finally, Kaplan posits that the United States might rue engaging in far-flung conflicts with Iraq and Afghanistan rather than tending to its direct neighbor Mexico, which is on the verge of becoming a semifailed state due to drug cartel carnage.

A brilliant rebuttal to thinkers who suggest that globalism will trump geography, this indispensable work shows how timeless truths and natural facts can help prevent this century's looming cataclysms.

©2012 Robert D. Kaplan (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A solid work of acuity and breadth." ( Kirkus)

If you want to learn about the world, read this book.

My favorite of Kaplan's books, and I've read most of his works. If you want to learn about the world and geopolitics, start here.

Without a doubt the magnum opus regarding the importance of geography and world affairs!!!

An outstanding book well researched I strongly recommend it to anyone who is serious about worldly affairs.

Thought-provoking

I'm glad Kaplan's out there doing all the traveling for me. I also appreciate the historical research and analysis. It's very hard to understand what is going on in the world today, but this book helps.

Fascinating though overwhelming

Certainly interesting and very eloquent, yet rather compact and therefore a bit overwhelming in its presentation of fact, analysis and conjecture. Probably best sampled in smaller bites and with a map in front of you. The story of how geography has and continues to dominate world politics is eye-opening and fascinating.

Students of History & Politics must read

What an overall awesome view of world history and how a particular landmass can affect the outcome. Great insight on how the past and our geography will affect our future

Great approach to world politics with base in determinism

For someone interested in geography and geopolitics, this must be of of the best sources. With his method of geographical determinism, Kaplan and his predecessors of the discipline(whom he points to throughout the book),help the reader understand the past and comprehend the future of international engagement.

A very good look at potential hot spots in the fut

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I would recommend it to a friend. The author is a very educated man who has traveled far and wide. His life experiences are a huge bonus in understanding geographic hotspots and the reasons behind the conflicts.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The author shares many stories of his world wide journies to help the listener understand the different areas. It is very helpful for a fuller understanding of the situation.

Which scene was your favorite?

I especially enjoyed the overview of China and the Middle East. It is helpful to know some geography before listening to this book.

Any additional comments?

A very thorough overview of potential conflicts in both the near term and long term.

A MUST Read for Anyone Interested in Geopolitics

An outstanding tome! Presents the 'why' of history through geography while making projections towards the future. Geography does not make finite prejudgements, but not knowing the limits of geography is the precursor to failure. Fine narration.

I learned a lot

Very good, although incredibly dense at times. It has given me a lot to think about the world around us and our future.

A cold and calculated view of politics

If you plan to listen to this, I highly suggest you read up Mckinders books first as I had trouble grasping some of the concepts. But other than that, Its a great read.

Edit: After re-listening to this book, I can confidently say he is scared of flying.