The Loom of Time

Between Empire and Anarchy, from the Mediterranean to China

De: Robert D. Kaplan

Narrado por: Eric Jason Martin

A stunning exploration of the Greater Middle East, where lasting stability has often seemed just out of reach but may hold the key to the shifting world order of the twenty-first century

“Engaging . . . Even those who resist Kaplan’s tragic sensibility have much to learn from his look at the emerging Middle East and its recent history.”—National Review

FINALIST FOR THE OVERSEAS PRESS CLUB’S CORNELIUS RYAN AWARD

The Greater Middle East, which Robert D. Kaplan defines as the vast region between the Mediterranean and China, encompassing much of the Arab world, parts of northern Africa, and Asia, existed for millennia as the crossroads of empire: Macedonian, Roman, Persian, Mongol, Ottoman, British, Soviet, American. But with the dissolution of empires in the twentieth century, postcolonial states have endeavored to maintain stability in the face of power struggles between factions, leadership vacuums, and the arbitrary borders drawn by exiting imperial rulers with little regard for geography or political groups on the ground. In the Loom of Time, Kaplan explores this broad, fraught space through reporting and travel writing to reveal deeper truths about the impacts of history on the present and how the requirements of stability over anarchy are often in conflict with the ideals of democratic governance.

In The Loom of Time, Kaplan makes the case for realism as an approach to the Greater Middle East. Just as Western attempts at democracy promotion across the Middle East have failed, a new form of economic imperialism is emerging today as China's ambitions fall squarely within the region as the key link between Europe and East Asia. As in the past, the Greater Middle East will be a register of future great power struggles across the globe. And like in the past, thousands of years of imperial rule will continue to cast a long shadow on politics as it is practiced today.

To piece together the history of this remarkable place and what it suggests for the future, Kaplan weaves together classic texts, immersive travel writing, and a great variety of voices from every country that all compel the reader to look closely at the realities on the ground and to prioritize these facts over ideals on paper. The Loom of Time is a challenging, clear-eyed book that promises to reframe our vision of the global twenty-first century.

Subject matter extremely timely and interesting

Narration was a bit dry and choppy, but otherwise delivered well and was easy to follow

Great historical review

This books provides an interesting historical perspective of the Middle East. Highly recommend to better understand the current situation in the Middle East.

the loom of time

I read with great interest and concluded that Kaplan was not only a reasonable observer, but he was also good at putting the pieces together. I can see his biases and his limitations. I respect those based on who he is and how he was raised. It is a book I strongly recommend. I learned a great deal from several chapters I read twice and probably go back to read again in the future. These days, we often hear that the map of the Middle East will be redrawn; I am sure whoever is on the drawing table all of them have read this book several times.

Now I understand

This book made clear, both passed in future of the middle east. A must read and an easy read.

Phenomenal Book

A poweehouse summary of Mr Kaplans’ intensive study of this complex region. A fantastic read