The Silk Roads: A New History of the World by Peter Frankopan

Review by Emily Shultis

The short:

The Silk Roads follows topics from political instability in the Middle East to the rise of China as a global power, teaching the reader that in order to understand the geopolitical nature of these cities surrounding the convoluted trade routes, we must first understand their pasts.

The long:

The Silk Roads recalls the epic history of the origins of civilization. Once a formidable network of trade routes, it not only enabled the fluidity of commerce and goods to travel at ease between communities, but it also allowed for the spread of cultural, political, and religious interactions that largely influenced the regions today. From the rise and demise of major empires, to the spread of Buddhism, Islam and Christianity, the book follows the intricacies and inevitable fate that the East has linked with the West.   

The read or not to read:

Read! This book not only probes the cultural heritage of the world, but gives an in-depth exploration into why wars and strife in different regions exist. The detailed account of cultural anthropology intertwined with historical accuracy further explains the interconnected planet we will live in today.