The Silk Roads

A New History of the World

De: Peter Frankopan

Narrado por: Laurence Kennedy

“This is history on a grand scale, with a sweep and ambition that is rare… A proper historical epic of dazzling range and achievement.” —William Dalrymple, The Guardian

The epic history of the crossroads of the world—the meeting place of East and West and the birthplace of civilization

It was on the Silk Roads that East and West first encountered each other through trade and conquest, leading to the spread of ideas, cultures and religions. From the rise and fall of empires to the spread of Buddhism and the advent of Christianity and Islam, right up to the great wars of the twentieth century—this book shows how the fate of the West has always been inextricably linked to the East.

Peter Frankopan realigns our understanding of the world, pointing us eastward. He vividly re-creates the emergence of the first cities in Mesopotamia and the birth of empires in Persia, Rome and Constantinople, as well as the depredations by the Mongols, the transmission of the Black Death and the violent struggles over Western imperialism. Throughout the millennia, it was the appetite for foreign goods that brought East and West together, driving economies and the growth of nations.

From the Middle East and its political instability to China and its economic rise, the vast region stretching eastward from the Balkans across the steppe and South Asia has been thrust into the global spotlight in recent years. Frankopan teaches us that to understand what is at stake for the cities and nations built on these intricate trade routes, we must first understand their astounding pasts. Far more than a history of the Silk Roads, this book is truly a revelatory new history of the world, promising to destabilize notions of where we come from and where we are headed next.

Good review of history

Well done reminder that the world is not just America and Europe, we must remember, be curious and aware about these places that here in the western world not too many people talk about them.

Outstanding work!

I was surprised by the scope, detail and synthesis of this work. It puts the present in the context of the past and directs attention to the future - a consequence of choices we make.

Fascinating History of an Ancient Trading Route

The author tells the story of the Silk Road from ancient times to the twenty-first century. I never found the history dry or overly detailed. Instead, I felt I was hearing a wonderful story like one told by Sherazade in the Thousand and One Nights.
I was swept along with the narrative. If you have any interest in history, I think you will find this book informative and interesting.

West bad, east good

Author frequently accused western countries in seeing only what they wanted to see that I think he fall for the same issue. This looks like a cherry-picking of narratives, events, facts, and a lot of wishful thinking that support the story author wanted to tell.

Excellent

I read this 2ce in a row! Terrific
Understanding of the area. This is important