Prisoners of Geography

Prisoners of Geography

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  • Create Date:2021-04-01 14:55:13
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
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  • Author:Tim Marshall
  • ISBN:1783962437
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary


THE MILLION COPY INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER

Geography shapes not only our history, but where we're headed。。。


All leaders are constrained by geography。 Their choices are limited by mountains, rivers, seas and concrete。 Yes, to follow world events you need to understand people, ideas and movements - but if you don't know geography, you'll never have the full picture。

If you've ever wondered why Putin is so obsessed with Crimea, why the USA was destined to become a global superpower, or why China's power base continues to expand ever outwards, the answers are all here。

In ten chapters and ten maps, Prisoners of Geography looks at the past, present and future to offer an essential insight into one of the major factors that determines world history。

It's time to put the 'geo' back into geopolitics。

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'Like having a light shone on your understanding。。。 I can't think of another book that explains the world situation so well。
- Nicolas Lezard, Evening Standard

'Sharp insights into the way geography shapes the choices of world leaders。' - Gideon Rachman, Financial Times

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Ten maps; ten chapters:

Russia * China * United States of America * Latin America * the Middle East * Africa * India and Pakistan * Europe * Japan and Korea * the Arctic


'A fresh and original insight into the geopolitics behind today’s foreign policy challenges’ — Andrew Neil

‘Crisply written and brilliantly argued’ — Dame Ann Leslie

‘An essential and detailed reflection of the geopolitical dynamics that exist globally’ — Dr Sajjan M。 Gohel

'Quite simply, one of the best books about geopolitics you could imagine: reading it is like having a light shone on your understanding…。 Marshall is clear-headed, lucid and possessed of an almost uncanny ability to make the broad picture accessible and coherent … the book is, in a way which astonished me, given the complexities of the subject, unputdownable…。 I can’t think of another book that explains the world situation so well。' – Nicholas Lezard, Evening Standard

'Compels a fresh way of looking at maps – not just as objects for orientation or works of art, but as guideposts to the often thorny relations between nations' -- The New York Times

'A very good idea, very well executed -- and (perhaps as one expected) very entertainingly written' - Professor Anthony Glees, Director, Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies (BUCSIS), The University of Buckingham

'Shows the ways geography shapes not just history but human destiny… In an ever more complex, chaotic and interlinked world, Prisoners of Geography is a concise and useful primer on geo-politics。 Marshall is not afraid to ask tough questions and provide sharp answers。' – Adam LeBor, Newsweek

'Marshall’s latest book explains how politics is nothing without geography, in his crisp and compelling style 。。。 What he really excels at is capturing the psychology of nations and giving maps a power that politicians must tame。' - Top Ten Holiday Reads – Dan Lewis, Stanfords, WorldTravelGuide。net

'Difficult to put down… Marshall succeeds in making lucid a complex topic。' – Chris Tilbury, Prospect

'A timely reminder of the importance of geopolitics … A good bluffer’s guide for the members of the newly elected Foreign Affairs and Defence Select Committees' - Keith Simpson MP, summer reading list recommendations

'A reminder of the salience of geography in international affairs…。 Ideologies may come and go but, says Marshall, who served a long stint as diplomatic editor of Britain’s Sky News, such geopolitical facts of life endure。'– Daniel Dombey, Financial Times

'There are few foreign correspondents in the current British media who can present an overview of a political situation quite like Tim Marshall。 The former Diplomatic Editor at Sky News, he has a long and impressive CV in foreign journalism covering conflicts in Croatia, Bosnia, Macedonia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Israel and in his new book, Prisoners of Geography he presents this knowledge and experience quite brilliantly。' - Retroculturati

'An introduction to geopolitics and geo-strategy … worth reading as a commentary on the subject' - Army Rumour Service review

'Sharp insights into the way geography shapes the choices of world leaders。' - Gideon Rachman, Financial Times

'Remarkable and stimulating … an eye opener in every sense。 I now understand in ways that I never did before how much impact physical geography has on political reality。 Within these pages you will find a heady mixture of accurate analysis and almost poetic description。 … If you are worried about the dumbing down of news but want to find out for yourself what lies behind the international headlines, this book would be a great place to start。' — Richard Littledale, blogger

'An exceptional work, well-researched, argued and documented … a treasure of information to satisfy the specialist researcher into contemporary geopolitics and offers a riveting insight to the general reader or student…。 It is all covered in this magnificent book, which I highly recommend。' — Nehad Ismail, writer and broadcaster

'What Tim Marshall gives the reader is an excellent lesson and reminders that geography influences political decisions, strategic decisions of governments and the attitudes of the people 。。。 Buy this book, borrow this book and give this book it is too important to remain on the shelves getting dusty。' - Atticusfinch1048

'a timely reminder that despite technological advances, geography is always there, often forcing the hand of world leaders。' - Mark Cooper-Jones, Geographical

"A fascinating analysis of geopolitical relationships that reminds the reader that politics is nothing without geography。 A very timely read, given the state of foreign affairs。" -- Town and Country。co。uk

“Very useful … a highly accessible introduction to the geopolitics of every region on Earth。 Considering that there are so many 'popular economics' and 'popular history' books out there, it's good to see a 'popular geography' or 'popular geopolitics' book” – BMIResearch。com

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Reviews

Gabrielle

Ought to be required reading for everyone in foreign service。

Lee

4。5 stars

Isobel May

More history than geography but very interesting nonetheless。

MichaelK

Really excellent and eye-opening book about geography, and how geography has shaped cultures and politics through history to the present day。One of my favourite books so far this year - it has genuinely changed my thinking, made me aware of many more factors that complicate geopolitics, making it even clearer how tediously simplistic the popular political narratives, from all over the political spectrum, are。 That being said, what is covered in this book is also extremely simplified for popular Really excellent and eye-opening book about geography, and how geography has shaped cultures and politics through history to the present day。One of my favourite books so far this year - it has genuinely changed my thinking, made me aware of many more factors that complicate geopolitics, making it even clearer how tediously simplistic the popular political narratives, from all over the political spectrum, are。 That being said, what is covered in this book is also extremely simplified for popular consumption - I expect those with more pre-existing knowledge of the subject would doubtless find it easy to tear apart。My main issue with it is the subtitle, which has an arrogant finality to it, discouraging further reading and encouraging overconfidence。 This is much more of a welcoming introduction to the topic than the last word。 The fact that a sequel is coming out this year makes this subtitle seem even sillier, but that's marketing for you。 。。。more

Lefki Sarantinou

Αν και η κατηγοριοποίηση του εν λόγω βιβλίου είναι "Ιστορία και πολιτική", στην πραγματικότητα, το βιβλίο αυτό του έμπειρου δημοσιογράφου και πολεμικού ανταποκριτή Tim Marshall δεν είναι παρά ένα αριστοτεχνικό πόνημα γεωπολιτικής που μας περιγράφει με γλώσσα απλή και κατανοητή τη σημερινή πολιτική, στρατηγική, αλλά και οικονομική κατάσταση του πλανήτη, όπως αυτή καθορίζεται από τη γεωγραφία και τους περιορισμούς που η ίδια η φύση θέτει στις χώρες。 Η γεωγραφία, σύμφωνα με το οπισθόφυλλο του βιβλί Αν και η κατηγοριοποίηση του εν λόγω βιβλίου είναι "Ιστορία και πολιτική", στην πραγματικότητα, το βιβλίο αυτό του έμπειρου δημοσιογράφου και πολεμικού ανταποκριτή Tim Marshall δεν είναι παρά ένα αριστοτεχνικό πόνημα γεωπολιτικής που μας περιγράφει με γλώσσα απλή και κατανοητή τη σημερινή πολιτική, στρατηγική, αλλά και οικονομική κατάσταση του πλανήτη, όπως αυτή καθορίζεται από τη γεωγραφία και τους περιορισμούς που η ίδια η φύση θέτει στις χώρες。 Η γεωγραφία, σύμφωνα με το οπισθόφυλλο του βιβλίου, είναι αυτή που θέτει όρια στους ηγέτες του κόσμου και διαμορφώνει όχι μόνο την Ιστορία, αλλά και το πεπρωμένο。 Τι εννοούμε όμως επακριβώς με τη λέξη "γεωπολιτική"; Σύμφωνα με τον συγγραφέα, η γεωπολιτική εξετάζει τους τρόπους με τους οποίους τα γεωγραφικά στοιχεία εξηγούν τις διεθνείς σχέσεις, πως δηλαδή το κλίμα, η γεωμορφολογία, η δημογραφία, αλλά και τα πολιτισμικά χαρακτηριστικά και η πρόσβαση στους φυσικούς πόρους επιδρούν στις πολιτικές συμμαχίες και επιλογές των κρατών。 Ο Tim καταφέρνει λοιπόν να μας δώσει μια αναλυτική εικόνα της σημερινής κατάστασης σε δέκα μόλις χάρτες: εξετάζει τη Ρωσία, την Κίνα, τις ΗΠΑ, την Αφρική, τη Μέση Ανατολή, την Ινδία, την Άπω Ανατολή, τη Λατινική Αμερική και την Αρκτική。 Από το παγκόσμιο αυτό παζλ απουσιάζουν μόνο η Ανταρκτική, ο Καναδάς και η Αυστραλία για λόγους τους οποίους ο συγγραφέας εξηγεί αναλυτικά στην εισαγωγή του βιβλίου του。Γιατί η Μέση Ανατολή είχε, έχει και θα έχει ένα από τα μεγαλύτερα ιστορικά πολέμων στον κόσμο; Ποιο θα είναι άραγε το μέλλον της παραπαίουσας Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης; Θα ξεπεράσει άραγε η Κίνα τις ΗΠΑ σε οικονομική δύναμη ως το τέλος του αιώνα όπως πιστεύουν ορισμένοι αναλυτές; Ποιοι είναι το διαχρονικό πρόβλημα της Ρωσίας από το οποίο αδυνατεί να ξεφύγει; Και, τέλος, πόσο ρεαλιστικό είναι το σενάριο ότι θα γίνουν πόλεμοι για το νερό, κι αν ναι σε ποια σημεία του πλανήτη; Σε τέτοια και σε ένα σωρό άλλα ερωτήματα που μας απασχολούν όλους καθημερινά όταν παρακολουθούμε τις ειδήσεις της εξωτερικής επικαιρότητας, επιχειρεί να δώσει απαντήσεις το εν λόγω βιβλίο。ΤΟ ΔΥΝΑΤΟ ΤΟΥ ΣΗΜΕΙΟ: η αφήγηση που δεν κουράζει τον αναγνώστη και η σαφής επεξήγηση δύσκολων σημείων της γεωπολιτικής των κρατών。ΠΟΙΟΙ ΠΡΕΠΕΙ ΝΑ ΤΟ ΔΙΑΒΑΣΟΥΝ: όλοι όσοι ενδιαφέρονται για τις τρέχουσες εξελίξεις και θέλουν να είναι ενημερωμένοι για τους λόγους για τους οποίους συμβαίνει ό,τι συμβαίνει στην τρέχουσα επικαιρότητα。 。。。more

Ross

Excellent discussion of the impact of geography on ten of earth’s regions。 The author clearly and eloquently discusses the complex geo-political strategies related to these ten critical areas of the globe。 I read most of this book 4½ years ago and completed it after a 3½ year break。 Fortunately, the earth’s geography essentially hasn’t changed in the past five years, the book’s discussions continue to be highly accurate; unfortunately, almost all of the troublesome political, historical and cult Excellent discussion of the impact of geography on ten of earth’s regions。 The author clearly and eloquently discusses the complex geo-political strategies related to these ten critical areas of the globe。 I read most of this book 4½ years ago and completed it after a 3½ year break。 Fortunately, the earth’s geography essentially hasn’t changed in the past five years, the book’s discussions continue to be highly accurate; unfortunately, almost all of the troublesome political, historical and cultural issues and problems addressed have not changed over the past almost five years。 The chapter on the Middle East provided me with the best understanding of area’s political and religious issues that I have ever read。 The chapters on Africa and the Arctic also were very illuminating。 Great read! 。。。more

Staunch Uop

I think,it is very important for beginner to easy understand the geography of the world。 I love this peace of geography。 Thanks to Marshall for such a great collection of history and geography。

Dick Hamilton

Very interesting, the author describes how geography has influenced the development, or lack of development of major areas and the challenges that this presents。

Robert Mitchell

Incredibly written and eye opening! 100% would recommend!

Kaitlin Page

Insightful

Lauren B

Fascinating look into the world of geopolitics。 Makes you see world conflicts in a different light。

Tomiko

For some people this may just be an overly basic “intro to geopolitics 101,” but a lot of these were new facts/concepts for me, and I found it very interesting and engaging! Definitely recommend。

Han_na

Todella mielenkiintoinen tietokirja maantieteen vaikutuksesta eri kulttuureihin ennen ja nyt。 Paljon asiaa, minkä tiesinkin, mutta myös uutta。 Ihan ei onnistunut pysymään pelkässä maantieteessä, vaan käsitteli aika paljon myös uskontoa ja kulttuuria。 Ihan hyvin toki, mutta toisinaan vähän tarpeettoman pitkäkestoisesti。

Ryan Logrieco

Good overview of geographical aspects of the world and how it helped shape current political issues。 Big take away is European/West creating borders out of thin air in Africa, Middle East, Korea, and South America is contributing to the many issues in those regions。 Touches on pending race for the North Pole and resources available there。 As the book was written in 2015 the information is a little outdated

Tomas Chupek

I quit the book in the half of the first chapter。 After quite fine intro came very and unnecessarily narrow explanations of the world and geopolitics by (and only) geography。 I am sure everyone has to know that such a complex isuess like politics and world order one just can´t explain only by geo factors because these are such a multifactorial, multidimensional phenomena and if you narrow it to just one dimension, a very distorted picture of the world will be rather the result。 Maybe enjoyable t I quit the book in the half of the first chapter。 After quite fine intro came very and unnecessarily narrow explanations of the world and geopolitics by (and only) geography。 I am sure everyone has to know that such a complex isuess like politics and world order one just can´t explain only by geo factors because these are such a multifactorial, multidimensional phenomena and if you narrow it to just one dimension, a very distorted picture of the world will be rather the result。 Maybe enjoyable to most people by its simpliness (and simplification) I think Tim Marshall is real prisoner of geography in his book。 。。。more

Prakriti Kandel

An amazing book on geopolitics。Enlightening。Unputdownable。

Heather

Geography is admittedly, not something I’ve ever been good at。 I liked the way this book was laid out with maps at the beginning of each chapter so I could continually check back to see what area the author was discussing。 The book discusses each general geographical area - Russia, China, the US, Western Europe, Africa, the Middle East, India and Pakistan, Korea and Japan, Latin America and finally, the Arctic。 If someone is well versed in geography and politics, this book may not be a good fit Geography is admittedly, not something I’ve ever been good at。 I liked the way this book was laid out with maps at the beginning of each chapter so I could continually check back to see what area the author was discussing。 The book discusses each general geographical area - Russia, China, the US, Western Europe, Africa, the Middle East, India and Pakistan, Korea and Japan, Latin America and finally, the Arctic。 If someone is well versed in geography and politics, this book may not be a good fit as I’m sure the author only scratched the surface of underlying problems facing our world today。 But for someone who knows Yemen is somewhere over there [waves hand vaguely to the east], this is a solid introductory book。 。。。more

Duc Nguyen

Sách rất hay về vấn đề địa-chính trị của thế giới

Jon Munro

For someone who constantly bangs on about the importance of rivers, oceans and lakes, I'm surprised Tim Marshall managed to write something so god damn dry。 Nah it was actually pretty interesting, some chapters seemed to drag a little but to be fair, I'm no nerd for geopolitics。 The best bit was when he talked about Germany not doing much by saying。。。 "Blitzkreig?! More like SITS-kreig!" That was a fun moment。 3。5 For someone who constantly bangs on about the importance of rivers, oceans and lakes, I'm surprised Tim Marshall managed to write something so god damn dry。 Nah it was actually pretty interesting, some chapters seemed to drag a little but to be fair, I'm no nerd for geopolitics。 The best bit was when he talked about Germany not doing much by saying。。。 "Blitzkreig?! More like SITS-kreig!" That was a fun moment。 3。5 。。。more

Travis Parks

Perhaps oversimplified on many explanations but nonetheless I learned things。

Jasun Chen

Is this the best introduction to geopolitics? Sure, I'll agree and recommend it to anyone first diving into this topic。For the more experienced and familiar, then a large chunk of this book will not be new or interesting to you。 And furthermore, you'll likely have some quibbles with overarching narratives Marshall tries to craft。 Is this the best introduction to geopolitics? Sure, I'll agree and recommend it to anyone first diving into this topic。For the more experienced and familiar, then a large chunk of this book will not be new or interesting to you。 And furthermore, you'll likely have some quibbles with overarching narratives Marshall tries to craft。 。。。more

Carol

I had little-to-no background in geography。 I learned a lot。 However, I was disappointed in the chapter on the United States, and the lack of mention about Native Americans and chattel slavery (other conflict is routinely mentioned in the book)。 That grave omission caused me to question other inaccuracies in the book。

Keith

I have done no previous reading into geopolitics so this audiobook was my introduction to the study。 The presentation in this book reminded me of books about everyday economics like Freakonomics and When to Rob a Bank; tdifference being that instead of looking at the economic factors that drive decision making, this book looks at the geographic factors that drive the actions of nations。 The author examines the geopolitical influences of Russia, China, United States, Western Europe, Africa, the M I have done no previous reading into geopolitics so this audiobook was my introduction to the study。 The presentation in this book reminded me of books about everyday economics like Freakonomics and When to Rob a Bank; tdifference being that instead of looking at the economic factors that drive decision making, this book looks at the geographic factors that drive the actions of nations。 The author examines the geopolitical influences of Russia, China, United States, Western Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Indian & Pakistan, Korea & Japan, Latin America, and the Arctic。 In each section, he examines how regions developed historically and how geopolitics continue to drive decisions now and the effect they will likely have in the future。 I don’t know how scientific geopolitics is, however, I heard a lot during my years in the military about how it effected U。S。 decision making in the Middle East so I know military leaders put some stock in it。 That said, the author’s claims regarding how geography has effected the politics of each of the ten regions does seem to make sense and I enjoyed hearing his hypotheses。 Additionally, the audiobook reading by Scott Brick made this an easy listen。 Really the only negative thing I have to say about the book was the author’s judgment of non-Western cultures against Western norms and mores。 You would think someone who researches and writes about cultural development would be able to accept cultures as acceptable without expecting them to adhere to his Western standards。 。。。more

Effie Simmons

An eye-opening look into why the politics of the world is the way it is。 Although the constant question I want to yell at the author is why do we still have to care about land, countries and taking/defending from others? Humans might need to just do some re-evaluating!

Muhammad Osama Yousaf

This is a good book but little pro American version , for anyone who's is begginer in political geography, a great outlook of big geographical disputes and problems whole over the world。 This is a good book but little pro American version , for anyone who's is begginer in political geography, a great outlook of big geographical disputes and problems whole over the world。 。。。more

Hammad Shahid

This is an exceptional book by Tim Marshall。 The author has divided this book into 10 chapters and each chapter explains geographical advantages and disadvantages。 I like this book for its relevance to our present day geopolitics and the impact of geography on it。 This book emphasizes the importance of geography in the ability to project power in the international arena。 Here are few examples : 1) The US is a superpower due to its geography。 It has oceans in its east and west which prevent and a This is an exceptional book by Tim Marshall。 The author has divided this book into 10 chapters and each chapter explains geographical advantages and disadvantages。 I like this book for its relevance to our present day geopolitics and the impact of geography on it。 This book emphasizes the importance of geography in the ability to project power in the international arena。 Here are few examples : 1) The US is a superpower due to its geography。 It has oceans in its east and west which prevent and attack on the american mainland。 2) Similarly, the biggest reason for tussle between Eastern Europe and Russia is also the lack of any significant 'natural barrier' for forces moving from the west to the east and into the economic and cultural hub of Russia。 In the past 500 years, Moscow has been invaded several times from the west。 The Poles came across the European Plain in 1605, followed by the Swedes under Charles XII in 1707, the French under Napoleon in 1812, and the Germans—twice, in both world wars, in 1914 and 1941。3) China has leverage against its western neighbour India due to its geography。 The Himalayan ranges of Tibet prevent any potential invasion from its western neighbours and that is the biggest motivation for Beijing to maintain control over Tibet。 But when we consider the borders of China with the South East Asian Countries, Beijing seems to be in serious trouble。 4) Similar is the case with the two nuclear giants and bitter rivals of South Asia, The Democratic Republic of India and The Islamic Republic of Pakistan。 The eastern border of Pakistan with India lacks any natural barrier。 The plains of Punjab and the deserts of Sindh don't pose any geographical threat to its eastern neighbour, India。 On its western front lies Afghanistan, the graveyard of empires。 Pakistan shares more than 2600km border with Afghanistan, the flying distance between Moscow and London。 But here the Karakoram Range is ready to offer the a potential leverage in case of war。 Just like Germany in WW2, who had the biggest fear of an alliance between its western neighbors and Russia, Pakistan has spent all of its energies on not letting Kabul fall into the hands of any regime it considers friend of New Delhi。 To conclude, geography is one of the most deciding factors in the prosperity of a nation and its relations with other countries。 Modern technologies are trying to overcome the geographical barriers but it is still far from success。 For now, we are prisoners of our geography。。 。。。more

Paul E。

Interesting book on how geography shapes politics and other things, both historically and now。 History often seems to repeat itself。 For example, the book explains:- Why Russia wants and has historical wanted the Crimea。- Why Russia often invades Poland。 - So many countries buy a lot of energy from Russia due to being unable to produce enough of their own energy。 This affects their foreign policy toward Russia。

Nick

New insights and different perspectives on geography,  politics and international relations。 For those interested in those topics, will probably be a very interesting read。

Leila

I started this book months ago and took a long break in between, so think of this review as only being representative of the chapters on Africa and onwards。There are so many things that bothered me with this book that I don't know where to start, but first let's start with the positive and the reason for the 2 stars: I did learn things。 To be honest, it was kind of unavoidable because I am shamefully unaware of a lot of the things going on in Africa, but not unaware enough not to notice the ideo I started this book months ago and took a long break in between, so think of this review as only being representative of the chapters on Africa and onwards。There are so many things that bothered me with this book that I don't know where to start, but first let's start with the positive and the reason for the 2 stars: I did learn things。 To be honest, it was kind of unavoidable because I am shamefully unaware of a lot of the things going on in Africa, but not unaware enough not to notice the ideology that was sold to me in that book。Let me explain: this book is painfully biased。 Maybe it was naive of me to imagine that this book would be anything other than the mere interpretations on geopolitics of its author, but it still took me by surprise (it shouldn't have, though。)Because, you see, Israel has no choice but to oppress and murder Palestinians。 It's for their safety。 Because of geography, you see。One sentence that especially made me laugh was the very first sentence of the chapter on Latin America: "Latin America, particularly its south, is proof that you can bring the Old World's knowledge and technology to the new, but if geography is against you, then you will have limited success, especially if you get the politics wrong。" Oh, "get the politics wrong"? What do you think the author means by that? Do you think he's referring to the fifty or so coup d'etat the United States has committed in the region and that has brought upon countless dictatorships some of them still ongoing, as well as general political instability?Well, you'd be wrong。 Because the US is the good guy。 It's China that's the bad guy。 And Russia。 And Iran。 The US just wants to help, you see。The same can be said of the chapter on the Middle East。 Somehow, the US is always the good guy, while China, Russia, Iran or whoever (just pick one) is the bad guy。 Funny how this aligns perfectly with the American narrative。 Nevermind that the US, France and Britain are the main reason why the region is still so instable today。 Nevermind that the US is responsible for a lot of the terrorism still plaguing the people of the Middle East。 This book won't tell you that。 The author seems to believe land is just another thing to be conquered by men, but the bad, mean geography is making it hard for them。 And when there's no more land to conquer, we'll colonize space。 How exciting。 Can't wait。 。。。more

Lorenzo Pezzoli

Once in a while I come across a book about a certain subject that makes me think: "if only it was explained to me like this when I was in school"。 This book does that for Geography。 High: It makes the map of the world literally come alive; Low: I wish it had a bit more historical details in certain sections。 Once in a while I come across a book about a certain subject that makes me think: "if only it was explained to me like this when I was in school"。 This book does that for Geography。 High: It makes the map of the world literally come alive; Low: I wish it had a bit more historical details in certain sections。 。。。more