The New Silk Roads

The Present and Future of the World

By: Peter Frankopan

Narrated by: Leighton Pugh

Length: 6 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

From the best-selling author of The Silk Roads comes an updated, timely, and visionary book about the dramatic and profound changes our world is undergoing right now - as seen from the perspective of the rising powers of the East.

"All roads used to lead to Rome. Today they lead to Beijing." So argues Peter Frankopan in this revelatory new book.

In the age of Brexit and Trump, the West is buffeted by the tides of isolationism and fragmentation. Yet to the East, this is a moment of optimism as a new network of relationships takes shape along the ancient trade routes. In The New Silk Roads, Peter Frankopan takes us on an eye-opening journey through the region, from China's breathtaking infrastructure investments to the flood of trade deals among Central Asian republics to the growing rapprochement between Turkey and Russia. This important book asks us to put aside our preconceptions and see the world from a new - and ultimately hopeful - perspective.

©2019 Peter Frankopan (P)2019 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Provocative reading for students of geopolitical and economic trends looking for a glimpse at the new world to come." (Kirkus)

“Masterly mapping out of a new world order...Peter Frankopan has gone up in the world since his best-selling Silk Roads history was published to great acclaim in 2015 - and deservedly so.” (Justin Marozzi, Evening Standard) 

“Frankopan has written another valuable and idiosyncratic book. He has the gift of perspective - the capacity to see the wood for the trees - which he combines with a Tolstoyan knack for weaving little details into the broader sweep of human affairs.” (Jamie Susskind, The Daily Telegraph) 

“Frankopan is a brilliant guide to terra incognita.” (Niall Ferguson, Sunday Times) 

An essay

Good and clear writing. Felt as if it was too long of an essay though. I liked the thesis, but felt it could have been condensed into a featured article/essay of something like The Economist.

Great picture of today's Silk Road

Enjoyed learning more about China and Russia's involvement along the Silk Road in particular. It all makes good sense. I also appreciate the candid view in the Trump administration policies. I share the concern about how poorly my country has handled relationships around the globe.

Not at par with The Silk Roads

I expected a book that would extend the author’s previous one. While this one discusses more recent events (up to summer 2018 or so), it does so more in a fashion of providing facts, rather than putting them within the framework of the historical ebb and flows caused by and observed at “the silk roads”. This book could be followed with another one in 4-5 years, with more updates and so on (which I would read, to be honest.)
It’s also heavy on facts and episodes known to everyone who follows US politics since 2016, to emphasize the lack of comprehensive US foreign policy, and contrast it with the approach of Russia & China.
Overall useful, but I found the previous one much more instructive and (even) fascinating.

Insightful

Marvelous book and well worth the price. Highly recommend the book to anyone who is intrigued

Eye opening.

want to understand why China is called The Middle Kingdom and its ideogram is a box with a dot in the center? Listen to this book.

Insightful Look At Geo-Political Map

Very insightful commentary on Geo-Political maneuverings and alliances. I think the world is far to complex to plot a faultless route through the maze. Given different cultural and governing systems each with self serving interests and motivations makes it impossible to predict outcomes. What does seem clear from the author's points is the macro picture of what seems inevitable, the rising power of China and reduction of influence and standing by the West. His details are interesting to know and sometimes seems like "strange bed fellows" but change is inevitable. Ultimately countries will have to hold their noses and succumb to unsavory deals, partnerships, and alliances on occasion at the expense of principle. That, while unfortunate, is likely inevitable. Explaining such instances will anger many.

Exceptional Information!!

Should be read by everyone! History from an important new perspective. Older history books need to be updated.

The current global landscape now makes more sense

I was able to get through the website book in a car during a long flight. it was very insightful and beneficial towards my current with and research. Highly recommend for everyone. can't wait to read the original Silk Road

Thorough Coverage

Great analysis of the current shifts in the world economy and geopolitics, drawing upon numerous historical and contemporary examples. However, at times the book felt repetitive, addressing the same silk road themes multiple times but using different examples. This could have been intentional to drive home the messages presented in the text.

Good Followup to Silk Roafs

The two "Silk Road" volumes correct a long standing imbalance in world history which has tilted towards emphasizing the West at the expense of the East.