The New Silk Roads: The New Asia and the Remaking of the World Order

The New Silk Road is a wonderful synopsis of civilization. Facts prove that men over the centuries have not changed and have not learned those lessons from history! Short term goals for things society needs are often overlooked as to future consequences.

Peter Frankopan is a brilliant historian, who has comprehensive understanding of the interactive nature of history. The New Silk Roads is well researched, full of interesting and important details. He recognizes the historical impact of China's contemporary restoration as a major world power and puts it in international context. I recommend it to every investor, scholar, politician or diplomat and everyone else, who needs to keep up with the changing realities of our times. However, this book, does not have the historical depth of his previous work "The Silk Roads, A new History of the World". It hink this must reflect the time press the author was under. When you travel fast you cannot always understand the significance of details or how they fit in the over-all picture. To name one example, Mr. Frankopan does not quite get the significance of remote satellite sensing for ensuring compliance of urban planning. It has nothing to do with "chimney pots or patio extensions" (p21). Its purpose is to stop the common practice of corrupt local officials to close their eyes for illegal property development, where agricultural land is converted to urban development and industrial parks and turned into luxurious villa districts sold a premium prices. Central authorities use computers for spotting anomalies and discrepancies between the rules and regulations on land use and realities on the ground. It is highly effective. The authorities have sent bulldozers to destroy luxurious villa districts and severly punished the officials involved. As for the patio extensions, the common practice is to close one eye and pretend not to notice, as long as it is not excessive or dangerous and does not disturb the local harmony.

Looks like an excellent book, but have to read “prequel” first.

Good information in the book. But the author's obvious dislike for Trump was distracting. He could have made his points more objectively.

I read this second Silk Roads book with the same fascination I gave the first one. wondering as I went along why the second one did not receive the raves of the first. Finally in the final chapter I realized the subject matter was current history and contained information the reader did not want to read about.

I loved Frankopan's first book, The Silk Roads, and The New Silk Roads was a great followup. The first one is a very global view of history, each chapter covering whatever the influence was at the time, moving through to the present. Then the second book picks up. The first book doesn't have to be read in order to read the second.

This book concerns the modern-day intrusion of Asia (especially China) and the Middle East into dominance of the world, and the apparent loss of influence of Europe and the U.S. Russia, China and the U.S. are portrayed as modern-day empires, involved in an extremely complex game of political, economic and social influence. Various factors have significantly played into China’s hands. The extreme importance of energy and minerals have continued to keep Russia and the Middle East of central importance. It is far from clear as to what all of this means for the future of the world. Frankopan certainly projects his viewpoint, and is convincing that there is an important transition occurring in the world at this time. He presents a complex picture, and I am not sure that it gives us much insight on the big perspective over the numerous complicated details of change. Russia, China and the U.S. play the games of empires, but the world, beyond this game, has incurred changes, especially population growth (which Frankopan alludes to only very indirectly), that muddy the picture significantly. I recommend Frankopan’s book, but not strongly, for discussing a point of view that is important. It adds one piece to the puzzle of humanity today.

I could not put this down and will read it again. The clearly-stated informative political goals of the countries written about are certainly needed in this Europe/America-centric world of media news. Central Asia has always been a fascinating source of history, but not so much a vibrant source of contemporary news. The author gives us plenty of reasons to learn more. I read Frankopan's previous book and am eager to read more of his analysis of the political shifting of sands in these countries.

EXCELLENT VALUE

The pages seem good, I am yet to read it after finishing one of the other books I bought, I can't wait!

Um livro de atualidade para compreender o que se passa no mundo e grave erros de alguma governos ainda presos a uma realidade que já se foi. Explica bem o início da transferência do poder imperial do oeste para o leste.

This is a fascinating review of the rise of influence of China, which does not spare a damning look at the counterproductive, ill informed and dangerous policies of the current White House. The enormous capital investments being financed around the world by China are driving trade but also creating staggering levels of national debt in countries which can ill afford the repayments. However, increasingly Russia and China are the 'go to' countries for support for former allies of the US who have been vilified by the current administration. Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, and even India are increasingly looking to China, and to Russia, as the US pursues its policies of America First - described in these pages as being 'We are America, bitch' The development of AI and robotics in Russia and China, with their enormous potential military applications, place the world at a point of great uncertainty. This all makes for sobering reading. We must hope China uses its new position of emerging world leadership wisely to preserve the peace and to live up to the fine words of its leadership. Beautifully written, erudite and engaging, this is an excellent addendum to the fine 'Silk Roads' by the same author

The ability to link up world events and concepts of consequence and arrive at balanced analysis is the mark of a master. Peter has actually laid forth a foreign policy for the WEST ....if they can read between his lines.