Prisoners of Geography

I really liked this book, authored by the venerable Tim Marshall, as it provided an eye-opening perspective on global politics. The thing that stood out most for me was that geography, not theories of justice or ecological concerns, often dictates the interests and actions of major world powers.

In this sense, Marshall's incisive analysis on how physical landscapes is the driving force behind political decisions underscores the very harsh realities behind world affairs, making it an important read for any interested in truly comprehending what genuinely motivates global conflicts and policies today.

This book has helped me to frame my own experiences of travel and how to write about other countries. In his wry, low-key, non-academic style, Marshall sweeps through history, arguing persuasively that geography—mountain ranges, seas, rivers, deserts, and so on—has been key to the rise and fall of empires and nations. Mountains form a natural barrier, not only to migration and commerce, but to invading armies; open plains make the movement of people, goods, and armies easier. Many national borders, especially those of former European colonies, are artificial and, unprotected by natural barriers, consequently fragile. Marshall, who has reported on… show more.

Tim Marshall has had a long and illustrious career in journalism as a foreign correspondent and Prisoners of Geography absolutely sparkles with his fascinating insights and clarity of thought. How have the development and fate of modern nations been defined by their locale? This is Big History lapping right up to the newspaper headlines of today.